Garmin Fenix 8 vs. S70: 7 Things Golfers Need to Know!

[@EDossantoun]

Have been scouring the internet for a golf review of the Fenix 8 so I’m stoked you got a hold of one. I love your in depth reviews. As an Epix pro user I’d love to hear more about any golf updates the Fenix 8 got that didn’t make it to the older Epix gen2 / pro.

[@breakingeighty]

For sure! Honestly, the golf upgrades from the Epix Pro to the 8 are relatively limited. You now get wind data that factors into plays like distances, and there are some minor UX improvements. Otherwise, it's mostly the same so far. Getting it out for another round this week, so gonna be looking for as many differences as I can and comparing it directly to my Epix 2.

[@McNultyoh]

Exactly the video I wanted. On Fenix 5 and might be time for an upgrade. Do triathlon and golf so nice to see the options. Also worth thinking about how it can be a nice stylish watch in your wrist. Garmin 8 looks bit more stylish than previous models

[@TheGem20031]

Would you do a Fenix 8 vs Apple Watch video? I currently use Arccos with my Apple Watch Ultra 1 and am interested in possibly making the move to the Garmin system. Wondering what the pros and cons are? Appreciate and enjoy your videos. Thank You

[@breakingeighty]

For sure, might be a little while, but that'd be a great video to shoot. FWIW, I made that exact same transition. I personally love Arccos with the Apple Watch Ultra. It's my favorite way to use Arccos. But I switched to Garmin for all the added health benefits of the watch. Now I use my Fenix 8 on the course for distances, but I dont use shot tracking on it. I still use Arccos with the Link Pro for all my stats.

[@turbonate590]

As a slav...member of the Garmin ecosystem for the better part of 20 years and an athlete in the slim middle portion of the Venn diagram of golfers and ultra runners, the Fenix 8 has been a beast for me these past few weeks. However, the price is admittedly steep. If you're looking to dip your toes, ditch a rangefinder, and go beyond the S70, I think the Epix Gen 2 Pro or Fenix 7 Pro might be the better deal if you're looking to save some coin.

[@breakingeighty]

Agree with all of this. After I do the dedicated Fenix 8 review, will likely compare directly to Epix 2 - because at about half the price, it still does the vast majority of things that will matter to a golfer when compared to the new Fenix.

[@AlabamaGolfer]

I do like the look of the Fenix 8 and the options of colors beyond white and black are a bonus, but my physical activity pretty much comes down to golfing. I play a stableford match with my club members throughout the week, and having the color coded score for each hole around the watch face of the S70 makes it easy to keep track of my points. I think I’ll wait for the next generation before considering an upgrade.

[@breakingeighty]

I didnt even think about how useful that bezel is for stableford scoring - great point. I knew the watch would track it, but just didnt think about the visual aspect of it. Thanks for the comment!

[@michaelgiammarino7313]

The video i was waiting for! Thank you!!

[@tacticaledc]

You didn’t need to wait for this model - could’ve been doing everything you just mentioned with the Tactix 7 (I have the Amold version). Has all those features you mentioned and it’s pretty nice to have on the wrist. Only thing I couldn’t use was the virtual caddie - don’t have 5 rounds of play set up yet. Nice review.

[@szilardtube]

As my two hobbies are golf and hiking until now I have been using a Fenix 7X pro. Now I will move to Enduro 3 if Santa can help me out…That watch have the same/similar features but friendlier price tag with sapphire glass and huge battery.

[@darrell3118]

I quit using all GPS and Laser range finder use for the past 3 rounds and went back to just guesstimating my distances with just looking for 100 yard markers , 150 yard markers, and 200 yard markers and have actually started playing much better like I did as a younger player! My FEEL is coming back on all aspects of my game as trying to hit every damn number has actually ruined my game because I have been so focused on trying to hit a number that I will only achieve less than 5 times a round! I think we golfers have gotten SO immersed in NUMBERS ( playing the game and in club fittings ) we have lost the FUN in playing the game of golf that was HOW it was meant to be played!!! I have worked at a golf course for 2 years now that I am retired and I see all these people buying all this crap and NOT one person has dropped his or her handicap !!!! Lessons are all but gone , but they sure piss away money on equipment & Gadgets trying to BUY a game !!!

[@donaldo8497]

Can we get a review on the square golf monitor?

[@frankwilliams977]

when are you going to do the golf Fenix 8 on course video?

[@bonngt]

Does the F8 have the large square of your predicted landing area of your shot on the map like the S70?

[@breakingeighty]

Yep!

[@wthdummes7537]

I recently purchased the fenix 8. Never owned a smart watch before. I used it for golf, and the only issue I had was trying to enter a shot manually when it didn't detect some of the lighter shots (small chips or putts). I assume you have to select measure your shot from the menu, but when selecting measure shot, it shows last shot, and then it asks you if you want to record a new shot. I'm not sure if it's ready to record a new shot, change your last shot, or if I need to actually select record new shot, for my next shot. If you could review that feature on the fenix 8 that would be awesome. Again, I've never owned a smart/golf watch and maybe there is already a video on this, but I can't find info other than the garmin manual, which doesn't help me understand. Thanks for the fenix 8 golf video!

[@bduke2547]

You need a st of 3 ct10s for the putter and chippers

[@dougsimpson8731]

Do you know how durable the strap is. I have an older Garmin approach S6 and I have gone through 3 bands.

[@GDTaxConsultant]

You did an excellent Job. Thanks

[@onederwall99]

I would like to know if there is any integration between these watches and the R10 launch monitor. I’ve had my eyes on Epix but I do like the thinner bezel and bigger screen on the 47 Fenix 8. It’s expensive but what isn’t these days….

[@parkermark]

What are you thoughts on the epix gen 2 sapphire for 399 versus a Fenix 8 for someone who is a major fitness junky 3-4x week, and golfs 1x month? Is the price difference justified?

[@breakingeighty]

Man, the Epix 2 for 399 is an incredible deal for what you get. The updated heart rate sensor on the 8 is nice, the watch faces are better, the flashlight is surprisingly useful, and the golf gets some minor ux updates. But 85% of it feels very similar. If budget isn't a concern, the Fenix 8 is better and I'd get it. But is it 3 times better? No. Can't go wrong with the Epix 2 at that price.

[@parkermark]

@@breakingeighty thanks for the response- very helpful. One other question as I was watching your videos. What golf features does the Epix gen 2 NOT have versus Fenix 8?

[@pschilleru]

Those are crazy prices - just my opinion.

[@breakingeighty]

You're not wrong. It's a lot of money.

[@caseycook738]

Good stuff! Thank you.

[@vinnym5095]

How do you like this compared to the T11?

[@petterruud2564]

Is it easy to add which club you were using in the last shot?

[@breakingeighty]

Yeah you can set it up to automatically prompt you after each shot.

[@rickgoyette6007]

How does the Garmin Instinct 2x solar golf compare with the Epix? .... or the Venue 3 ... in regards to activities and especially golf?

[@breakingeighty]

I haven't personally used the Instinct of the Venue series, so unfortunately can't speak to it. But based on what I know, the golf functionality of those would be similar to lower end Garmin golf watches. Both probably closer to like the S12, with more limited GPS yardages, and no built in shot tracking features.

[@CharlesFromage]

@@breakingeightyGarmin Instict 2 and Venu 3 are both on Garmin website as supporting club prompt and auto shot recognition. I have a Vivoactive 4 which also has these but is a bit older than these models. Personally, my issue isn’t watch functionality but the stats on Garmin Golf. Garmin thinks I’m a 7-9 when I know I’m a 15 (maybe a 12 if I only reported my best scores). The strokes gained stats are atrocious as well. I use an app to track separately, but all the info-except maybe putting distances-must be tracked in the watch. For example, it says I’m 69%ile driving but 13%ile driving distance. I average 270 yds but only hit about 40 percent of fairways so I’m not sure how this makes sense. The strokes gained numbers make even less sense.

[@Nbuom]

Can we compare these to apple watch ultra with some sort of an app? These are more expensive than an apple watch and I think a head to head would be very useful for some of us that already own a wrist computer that will be obsolete in a few years.. plus the current number of people who have and utilize an apple watch has to be multiples bigger than garmin (imo)

[@jonathanfreitag8017]

I left my ultra because battery. Have an early day maybe go for a run, go to work and one of the friends ask if you want to do a late round of golf and boom hole 10 the Apple Watch is dead. I have an s70 for several years now and 16 days of battery life (about 1 day of battery used per full round of 18) just can’t be beat.

[@BobbyBurdette]

How does it track shots with out sensors?

[@AlabamaGolfer]

When you take a swing, the watch recognizes it, then it asks which club you hit. Sometimes it doesn’t pick up short pitch/chip shots and putts, which is why they sell a three pack of the sensors. I put them on my wedges and putter.

[@davidbrady1551]

did you know that the watch has to be worn on the lead hand to pick up your shot distance. I'm a lefty and have to wear on my right hand

[@michaelgaudet5512]

Dude is this true? Been struggling with this forever as a lefty. Omg. Thank you

[@davidbrady1551]

@michaelgaudet5512 you're welcome, it's ridiculous that the sales staff in shops don't know this. I found it on a forum

[@rme345753]

Does using all the features of the golf software on the Fenix require a membership/subscription?

[@breakingeighty]

Nope. The only thing that Garmin membership will get you is green heatmaps that show the breaks of greens.

[@AlabamaGolfer]

@@breakingeighty I’m more of an “err to the side of the green that avoids the trouble” kind of player, or avoid the short side up and down. If you have high precision on your approach shots, it might be a useful feature, but I didn’t find it useful at all as a putting aid. Some others might I suppose.

[@linkarl5076]

does the fenix 8 have the "continue round" function that was available in s62 but taken out in the s70? its useful for courses that's got 27 holes. can you also check if this function is available in the epix 2/pro?

[@hassanszaidi9]

S62,S70, MARQ Golfer measure swing tempo during a round. Fenix/Epix do not.

[@arthur945]

how？

[@bobcattmatt]

at 2x the price of epix, dont see why anyone would upgrade or choose this over. user interface could be better, yes. that is unless you have F - you $

[@_chjno]

Epix is perfect lol