Approach S50 - Recent Threads

Approach S50 System Software Version - 9.04

Garmin-Jim — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:30:41 GMT

Hello Approach S50 users,

We are now 100% live with System Software version 9.04.

Changes Log:

Fixed issue where the scoring flow would not come up after leaving the green on the last hole.
Fixed possible issue where a companion rangefinder measurement arc would not appear.

템포 훈련 앱은 탑재될 계획이 없습니까? 골프워치로서 이 기능은 상당히 중요하다고 생각합니다.

2722211 — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:33:41 GMT

텀포 훈련 앱이 없다는 점이 많이 아쉽습니다. 빨리 탑재될 수 있으면 좋겠는데 계획이 없는지 궁금합니다.

How do I access the swing tempo feature on the Garmin Approach s50?

alexanderlam — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 07:33:18 GMT

How do I access the swing tempo feature on the Garmin Approach s50? Thanks.

RE: How do I access the swing tempo feature on the Garmin Approach s50?

2722211 — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:27:17 GMT

I want s50 contain tempo training app.

RE: How do I access the swing tempo feature on the Garmin Approach s50?

3322329 — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:18:28 GMT

Any news regarding the tempo training app in approach s50? It is the only way to have some features during golf training

premium maps, Garmin Golf membership

PawelRed — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:02:53 GMT

Garmin Golf membership cost 100 Euro per yer. Main benefit is premium maps and green undulation. This is fine but buying S50 nobody warns that premium maps are loaded vis your phone at a start of every round. Consequently after the round map is deleted from the watch. Probably it is because very small storage capacity in this watch.

Imagine now you are abroad and every round you start you have to pay expensive ( sometimes very expensive ) data roaming

Besides green ondulation is not provided in many countries.

So is it really worth ?

Distance and calories not syncing when playing golf

4337818 — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:55:08 GMT

Hi,

I have a garmin approach s50. When playing golf , my distance covered and calories burned do not pull through to garmin connect app.

Every other activity I do does . Its very frustrating

Ive tried pairing and unpairing. Ive tried switching on " record" activity in golf settings .

Tried plugging Into a laptop and syncing on garmin express , without success .

I only got the watch in November, have played around d 10 rounds, and only twice has the Information pulled through.

All updates have been done, and as I mentioned earlier, gym sessions, runs, walks , etc all appear instantly in the garmin app........not the golf info though.

When I score a round, the score appears on garmin connect, but not the calories/ distance .

My old garmin approach did this every time !

Help!

Distance to hazards and plays like not working

2996891 — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:33:01 GMT

distance to hazards and plays like not showing

My garmin had some pairing issues and support suggested I use garmin express to set up the watch. Post a very frustrating set up session, the watch finally paired. All other non golf features work, so do some golf features like the distance to pin, pin pointer shot tracking, compass etc.

Need help on this. Software shows up to date.

RE: Distance to hazards and plays like not working

2610646 — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:35:49 GMT

I’ve had the same issues and I updated maps thru garmin express and all seemed to be working but then not all courses are showing correct hazard distances and some missing water hazards. My report has been given a ticket # and is being sent to the engineering dept. not sure how long before I’ll get a reply but this has been a real nuisance and generally unacceptable on a $400 Garmin device. If I get any fixes I’ll report back on this forum.

RE: Cannot enter 18 hole score

PawelRed — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 04:51:55 GMT

Garmin,

could you comment ?

Cannot enter 18 hole score

PawelRed — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:45:22 GMT

I use s50 in large number mode. After finishing every green I cannot enter score but when I move to next hole s50 prompts to enter last hole score. But after 18 hole green there is no any prompt. I cannot enter the score other than go to score card enter the score and than finish round. In small numbers mode there is edit tool in the bottom of the display but it looks like it was forgotten in large font mode.

RE: Distance to hazards and plays like not working

Slicksleeve — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:39:46 GMT

My S50 is all not showing distances to hazards and "plays like". Distance to the pin seems to be working ok.

RE: Hometown Hero Update Request

Garmin - MR — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:56:20 GMT

The Approach S50 is not compatible with Home Tee Hero. If you'd like to see this measurement available on the Approach R50, please share your thoughts directly with our developers at garmin.com/ideas.

Hometown Hero Update Request

3639518 — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 01:43:35 GMT

Can the scorecards show the yardage for each tee? I select my tees based on yardage, rating and slope

RE: S50 not showing Plays Like Distance

JeanetteBerge — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:25:04 GMT

I just contacted Garmin support because my S50 has the same problem. I contacted Garmin support in november last year, gave them enough time to fix the problem i would say. and just this morning i contacted them again and unfortunately stil no solution. I'm disapointed :-(

S50 not showing Plays Like Distance

Dgreen8388 — Fri, 09 May 2025 22:42:12 GMT

I have a fully updated S50 with updated course data and the "Plays Like" distance is not showing. I specifically bought this watch over the S44 because it came standard with plays like distance and I play courses with a lot of elevation change. Any information on this topic would be GREATLY appreciated.

RE: Need a new charger for my Garmin Approach 56

Garmin - KS — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 22:18:42 GMT

Replacement Charging/Data cables for the Approach S50 can be purchased directly from our website, by selecting "Cables & Chargers" under the "Accessories" tab here: Garmin Approach S50 Product Page

Need a new charger for my Garmin Approach 56

9416494 — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 07:27:20 GMT

I need a new battery charger for me Garmin Approach Golf Watch

Several issues new S50

Deebart — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:10:14 GMT

I purchased a new S50. In the course I encounter different issues.

When I play off the tee the watch asks for the club I played with.
I enter the club and it starts counting the distance when I walk to the ball.
Having arrived there, how can I ‘tell it’ that this is then ending point?
When I play the next shot with the PW it doesn’t detect it as a new shot mostly.
(I don’t own a C1/CT10).
When I play a practice swing it starts detecting by asking for the club.
How can I easily pauze the detection for practice swings?
Today I played a par-3 course, 9 holes. The course is found by the watch and
I selected it. I also that that I want it to keep record of the scores. While playing,
it only shows the distances to the green, it does not show any bunkers, water, etc.
I don’t expect a detailed view, but I can not select any hazard anywhere. When I played
a par-4 hole on another course some days ago, it only showed bunkers on that hole,
not at the par-3 holes.

Can you please help me out? Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
Daniel.

RE: Several issues new S50

Deebart — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 19:38:17 GMT

"I also that that I want it to keep record of the scores."
= I also 'told it' that I want it to keep record of the scores.

Approach S50 System Software 8.04 ~ 100%

Garmin-Brooks — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:46:39 GMT

Hello, we've released system software version 8.04. This should be available to download for all users.

Change log:

Fixed issue toggling PlaysLike mode on the hazards and layups screen on S50.
Fixed possible issue with PlaysLike distance received from a companion rangefinder.
Fixed possible issue changing volume in the music app.
Fixed issue where hole and par information could be incorrect for courses that had a single-course update downloaded.

S50 and Virtual Caddie

9374065 — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:26:10 GMT

I've seen conflicting information online, so I'm hoping to get it directly from an owner or Garmin; does the S50 have the option to use a Virtual Caddie if you have the paid subscription? Whether that require a phone or not.

Thanks!

RE: S50 not showing Plays Like Distance

8402985 — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:10:12 GMT

Hi,

any response to this? I recently bought an S50 and also noticed that the plays like feature has not worked and I am 6 rounds in at various courses with obvious elevation changes..

RE: Plays like

Garmin - KC — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:15:24 GMT

Yes! In addition to elevation changes on the course, PlaysLike Distance accounts for wind speed, wind direction, and air density (which is a combination of factors including temperature, humidity, and air pressure). You can read about the PlaysLike feature in full detail here.

Plays like

Alan — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:48:38 GMT

Does the S50 Playike include wind and temperature factors in addition to elevation.