How the Garmin S70 Virtual Caddie will Change Golf Forever

[@spyder8267]

Excellent video, speaking clearly, straight to the point, no wasted footage. Well done.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Many thanks 🙏

[@Nate710]

Love your positive attitude on the course... I have had the S40 for a few years now and still really like it. This seems like a nice upgrade though if you want a bit more data.

[@victorchelf]

I bought my S70 a couple of weeks ago and love it. Your videos are terrific and I appreciate the time and effort you put in to deliver quality content. I'm trying to find more info on some of the more obscure golf features of the S70 - like setting custom targets. I'll poke around with the watch on the course to see if I can figure it out. I switched from the Apple Watch / Arccos universe to Garmin. It is quite a bit different - but I am loving having the nice course layout on the watch face.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Hit the big button and select view green. Then just move your finger to where the flagstick should be on the green. Enjoy!

[@victorchelf]

@@LetsPlayThru I’m referring to the option to set custom targets. So, if there is a stream or tree that always gets the better of you on your home course, you can set a custom target and it shows up with the distance to target for that particular obstacle.

[@Giovanni-zc1lv]

Stunning piece of next level tech with the S70. Worth every penny if you are looking to improve your game. I waited 3+ years for this AMOLED screen. Now I just have to get 5 rounds in 3 days .... 😂 So the Caddy can kick in! Thanks Gabe for another great video!

[@LetsPlayThru]

Hope you enjoy it!!

[@jawjuh1005]

Thank you. As an owner I learned a couple of tricks I wasn’t aware of. Still super happy with the watch. My Apple Watch has been collecting dust since got this.

[@jimmysupafly1547]

I bought this watch it is amazing. The other stuff for sleep and recovery works well too.

[@neilcaulfield7840]

Think l have said to you before, Gabe, I'm amazed at the amount of golfers here in Scotland who do not have a watch or rangefinder. Having either really does help you save shots on course. Great video again 👍.

[@LetsPlayThru]

It’s def a game-changer

[@halmstadt]

This is a great video showing all the various aspects. Well done sir and great vibe (not too serious). Thank you

[@stephendibari5010]

Good video, just ordered an S70 today. I have a Bushnell Ion Elite, which was very good, I only used it for a few rounds in the Fall, its now up for sale on ebay. I need the health & fitness features and combined with a Golf GPS, the S70 is a no brainer. I'm getting the best of both worlds so to speak. I like this Virtual Caddie feature, I'll see how it goes, may not need to get the CT sensors. Many years ago i had ARCOSS when it first came out back when you had to keep your iphone in your pocket. SMH.

[@ryandeery6930]

Just purchased it and can’t wait to use it.

[@Adaywithliamlee]

The Garmin s70 is looking like a must have!!!

[@xboxone2943]

It is a shame that the app for the shots tracked and rounds played is so basic/bad compared to Shot Scope or Arccos.

[@theophilus5132]

I thought the exact same thing when I saw this video pop up on my feed. I have the Approach S62 watch and all the sensors for my clubs. I used the system for at least an entire season of golf and it was a frustrating experience, to say the least. I love the watch but the app is a bug-ridden mess even though it's been out for several years. I finally gave up and got a SkyCaddie GPS and it's great.

[@NineEyeRon]

Golfshot is amazing for that

[@Bishop2g]

Awesome. I didn't know how to use the features. Thanks

[@Prayforthesufferingchildren]

Just bought mine. Comes in tomorrow. Cannot wait!

[@kevinjeffery1865]

Well presented I have the S62, would love to upgrade to the S70

[@patrickpham4241]

One of my biggest gripes is I can't mark shots as OB or into hazard where I have to take a drop, and deleting/reallocating shots on the fly. It's a pretty simple function and yet somehow Garmin can't or won't implement it

[@ryanr6240]

In a case where you drive the ball OB or into water should you select driver at the club promt? It seems it would throw average distance off but maybe help on dispersion accuracy 🤔

[@PJo336]

I never paid attention to the caddy on the epix. Last round I had medium length par 3 and it was telling me to hit a 5 iron and where to aim. I thought it was crazy but realized we were into wind, so gave it a shot. Hit the green pin high. Might be a convert now

[@LetsPlayThru]

It has really helped my decision making process. Glad to hear you’re trying it.

[@GOLFADDICT65]

I ended up ordering the EPIX PRO GEN 2 in 47mm sapphire today...it has all the same golf stats as the Approach s70 i found out...hope i made the right choice...lol....thx again for your review

[@psch9618]

Some of the features are really good but I don’t know I want to fiddle with a watch on course. I enjoy the open air and tracking my stats manually after the round.

[@legend9018]

I have the s70 and am a bit disappointed in some of the features. It seems like the plays like distance doesn’t account for front or back pins so you still have to make an adjustment for that. I also took this watch on a golf trip and on 2 of the 3 courses I played the yardages were way off, like 80-100 yards off based on what the gps map in the cart was showing me so watch was pretty useless. I made sure the courses were downloaded and the software was updated and I even restarted it and changed tee boxes. Thankfully I had a rangefinder but I expect a lot more from this watch. The screen is great as is the battery life and the plethora of smart watch and health tracking features are great. I’ll give is few more rounds but I may go back to the s62 which is great.

[@jjbaj]

Played Carrollwood the other day. Wish I had an S70 when I played it.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Lots of water to contend with, it comes in handy for sure.

[@markzinda8863]

So, the more you play, the greater the accuracy. Hope you’ll continue to use it over the Summer and then do a follow-up report.

[@yannrobert8546]

Awesome,still not in canada but will buy asa dispo🙂

[@DanielWaun]

I want an S70 so bad, but i just got the Arccos system so I'll stick with it this year and look to the watch perhaps next year or if it goes on a big sale around black Friday or something.

[@fooddude159]

If you know the pin placements before the round can you go in and program before?? Thanks!

[@bentottle917]

Quality review as always, Gabe. So wish I could afford that watch. Phenomenal screen.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Many thanks Ben

[@RichardThirkettle]

But shots that arw not full shots will distort the data, ie a bump and run with a 8 or half wedge. Do you just not put the club in for these shots so it disregards them ?

[@LetsPlayThru]

There’s an algorithm in the background that throws out big anomalies, so I’ve found it gets it right despite half shots, punch outs, and even bounces off the cart path.

[@RichardThirkettle]

@@LetsPlayThru great thanks for that.

[@333jfish]

Can the wind/slope adjustments be turned off so it is legal for tournament play?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes

[@IngiHaralds]

Looks great and can most likely help with decisions, just feels like a lot of work by putting all the data in screen by screen, after each shot and hole. If you could add the data all at once on one screen it should speed things along and be more appealing for me personally. But great video and review!

[@holds26]

How do you turn on shot tracker to the top of the screen?

[@cubuffs4life275]

How does it know which way the wind is blowing?

[@silverghini2629]

Why Is dispersion a rectangle and not a circle or oval?

[@Kornopolis]

Nice review. I have more time to run than golf, so I ended up with the Forerunner 965. Had Fènix 5 before that. Was hoping for additional golf features on the 965, but not much difference. I probably should have waited for the s70, but I am a nervous golfer and probably wouldn’t take time to utilize all the features once on course. Garmin golf app could use some improvement. Should have a option for satellite view when reviewing shot tracking IMO.

[@the_mortgage_master.]

Is there a feature that allows you to measure your drive, measure tee shot?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes

[@paulwielgosz6046]

Is the ‘plays like’ feature like receiving advice when it is not a caddie?

[@maximelatourelle4405]

Great review. How would you say it compares to the Epix Gen 2 that you have reviewed also ?

[@flipdawhip2573]

how does it get the weather and wind? is it linked to a weather app?

[@deanmackogolf8023]

Really solid review, Gabe. I've been waiting to see how you navigate the Fairway look and the up-and-down buttons to look at hazards pretty much covers it. I still think the ability to pinch and zoom would be better, however.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Agree

[@scottduplechain3476]

Hi Gabe, great video as usual... Quick question, if you had the choice of the S70 or the Epix Gen 2 at a lower cost - which one would you get? Any reason to go for the more expensive S70? I hear that the Epix has the smart caddie features now... Thanks 👍🏼 ⛳

[@josephmillich5541]

I have the Epix gen 2, and I will say, it's more of a daily driver, do it all type of smart watch. It does make use of the Garmin golf app, and it can keep up with say, the S62. It can show wind direction, pin pointer, all that stuff, but it doesn't come with the same course view, front-back-pin distances. The default screen gives you the front-back-pin distance, but you have to click through the settings to view the course, hazards, club stats, etc. I haven't been out with it all that much this year, but I did just get the Garmin sensors for my clubs, maybe haven't played enough with them yet for it to recommend clubs, though I do have stats from maybe 2 outings so far. To put it short, it gets the job done, and it's a daily wear for me, for just about everything. It's your typical smart watch with more enhanced capabilities, a little something for everything. The S70 looks to be more specific and convenient to the game of golf. If that's what you're looking for, the best of the best, go with the S70, but you can't go wrong with the Epix. Like I said, it gets the job done.

[@tomaszwrotny6538]

Hi. What if it will not recognize the shot. Is it possible to set it manually to measure and remember the previous shot?

[@LetsPlayThru]

yes you can add manually on the watch or after in the app

[@mikeley1274]

Great review Gabe. How do you handle punch shots and just general bad/chunked shots u do not want counted towards the clubs distance averages. Even chip and short approach shots for that matter? I have created a client b called positional shots that I am assigning punch outs and chips and shirt aprroaches to. As well as a shit shots club that I am assigning chuncked shots and thinned fliers to as I don’t want my averages affected by them. I do not have 5 rounds in with it yet so not sure if this is a good appt or not as the AI has not begun recommendations yet. Do u think this will work well? Any other suggestions? Other than this I am LOVING this watch. The plays like seems extremely accurate to me.

[@spizarro7485]

great video! can you track your putts stats with the s70? like marking where the flag is before your first putt, so it tracks how close you hit your 1st putt and then how many putts you make (or miss) say from within 5 feet?

[@kevinschulmeister2054]

Can you select specialty clubs. Or type in your own names, or is it just a list to select from. Clubs like 64degrees or 70degrees or a 9wood. Not that common. I use an old fairay wood/rescue that i dont even know what it is. Is there a way to select this club?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes you can customize the settings for each club

[@barbronilsson7408]

You say the watch asks you what club you used. Do you have to scroll or something in order to fill in the club you used. After every shot? Could take some time if it is your turn to hit again after a misshit. Short clubs and putts etc.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Check out my video on the CT10 sensors. When you pair those with this, it’s a seamless experience

[@marylohmar3406]

I played my first round today with my S-70. I entered my scores but not the specifics like putts and if fairway hit. Do I have to do this manually now after the round because it’s saying I don’t have any rounds.

[@davidjones145]

I have the S60 and need to indicate drive result, L,R,C. Does this calculate fairway and rough?

[@LetsPlayThru]

It knows most often, but every once in a while it will ask if it’s close.

[@islandsnow]

It seems like you are constantly waking the screen up because it dims. Can you not see the screen when it dims? My s62 reflective screen is very bright in sun and doesn’t need to be woken up

[@LetsPlayThru]

I can still see it when dimmed but just tough for the camera to pickup. I ended up changing the setting so it doesn’t sim so fast.

[@islandsnow]

@@LetsPlayThru oh you did it for the camera. Does it affect battery life by a lot when you increased the dim time?

[@Tubezilla]

If you regularly use your 4 iron for bump and runs near the green, wont the VC cut your average distance way down?

[@vikesbenbetter]

You just wouldn't enter 4 iron for that shot. Pick and choose as you go.

[@CSwivel]

Can you switch the shot type so it doesn’t affect my distances and read my 7 iron on a short pitch with my normal swing ?

[@LetsPlayThru]

No, however it throws out the outliers and won’t affect your averages

[@kevinschulmeister2054]

In a situation like a bump and run3 with a 7,8,9,p, iron. I would think you'd just select a club that you dont even carry in your bag. So you dont wreck your averages. No.? Dos it eliminate the same amount of badshots as great shits to keep an average, cause my bad shots can be 50yards short and my great shots 20 yards long....plus i have many more bad shots than great ones. Im reallyvjust wondering how it can keep a proper average.

[@ChicHopson]

Nice review, I just received the MGI AI, I'd love for you to review it because I believe there's more to this then in the owners manual. Let's go 🚶

[@justinplowman7111]

Great video. I bought this and have played 5 rounds, but it doesn’t seem to recommend which club to use so don’t know why the virtual caddie isn’t fully working? Also the display is just the yardage, whereas on your watch it also has the hole map to the right hand side of the yardages. Any tips?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Make sure you have shot tracking turned on. Swipe down to get different views.

[@filler118]

These feature like "view Green" and plays like 117. Are you allowed to use that in a handicape-based round? Competition? Would that be legal? You are not allowed to use slope so this cant be.. Can it be turned off?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes, all those features can be turned off for a tournament

[@LowsHand]

Where ids the actual wind data coming from?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Not sure but assume it’s an API call from a weather service

[@michaeld1165]

Nice I will have to upgrade from the s20. quick question what push cart are you using?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Stewart Golf Q Follow

[@stanleyderochea6505]

Wish there was a good option for galaxy 5 pro watch

[@normantdog1]

Will you be having a look at the new Garmin Epix Pro which has been announced in the last 48 hours? Would be really interesting to see if it has all the updated new golf graphics and auto caddie features as per the s70. I love the golf features of the S70, but would appreciate it in a more rounded active package in the Epix Pro!

[@kevinharris3672]

Seems like a job to make sure you have to enter data through out the round vs just enjoying a round of golf and also now I would need to put glasses on so I could read the watch seems like a big pain. Although it has nothing to do with this watch I had a running watch from Garmin and continuously would loose signal in treed area’s or around buildings and garmin would not stand by their products therefore I would never buy another garmin product again

[@marktweet7395]

I have a Garmin golf watch. It doesn’t work and can’t get it serviced

[@mattlamantia5825]

how is it getting that wind number

[@LetsPlayThru]

Got to be pulling it from local weather services. I assume it’s an API call of some sort.

[@benwintermute2804]

Does the Fenizx do most of this? About to upgrade my S62. Primarily for golf, but also running. Thank you!!!

[@LetsPlayThru]

Much of it, check out my review on that one

[@Alexoferith]

Is this legal in a competition?

[@huddwah]

the pin positions change every day at my club which means i need to fiddle with my watch every hole. also some of the approach shots are blind so i dont know where to adjust it until im on the green. maybe i should move the flag on my watch just before i confirm the number of strokes? i usually dont even bother... its my least favourite thing about my s62.😢 .. 2nd would be whe there is slow play, i would like to easily do some extra putts or chips while i wait but they read as extra strokes.. would be nice if hitting pause was easier

[@scottchapman3507]

Why would practice count as extra strokes? It should only calculate a stroke when a club is selected. Practice all you want and before your next shot just select the back button if you're on the club selection screen. As for the pins, until GC's start uploading their pin locations to a database these golf apps can access, this will be a thing for all apps/watches/whatevs. There's no clean way to keep up with where the GCs put the pins each day....for now.

[@huddwah]

@scottchapman3507 the ct10s count a stroke when a club you have in hour hand strikes something. so if you take our a wedge om the tee and chip while you wait, jt will record all your chips as strokes for that hole

[@scottchapman3507]

@@huddwah - ah ok, I don't use the ct10s, makes sense.

[@kaylemg]

Do they ship to Canada?

[@mahomedsnm]

Is it permissable to use this watch with all its features in a tournament round?

[@LetsPlayThru]

No, but there is a tournament legal mode

[@robneville53]

It looked like this included the slope - Would that be legal? - Could you turn it off? - The apps on my phone let me play without it.

[@hamishw9040]

No wonder round times are getting slower and slower these days! Technology may be making golf easier, but is it any more enjoyable if everyone is faffing around playing with their watch?

[@ryankemp5275]

And this is without the CT sensors?

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes

[@tdn9106]

Rumor is epix 2 pro dropping in a few days. Doyou know if the epix 2 pro will have the same golf software as the S70?

[@mugz_1437]

Been wanting this watch since the release watching your video has made me want it more, plays like and virtual caddy is brilliant and miles a head of other competitors the only gripe is it’s way to expensive £599/£649 for a golf watch is ridiculous and we average golfers should fu*k these company’s off no way the price tag should be that much. Golf is the best sport in the world but it’s way to expensive to get people involved playing, I know so many people who love the game but play every now again because the cost of playing and the cost of good clubs to compete with others witch is sad in reality😔

[@bradfortner8921]

My biggest problem with these, at least in the past, is they don't allow for creative shots. Long club data is solid, but my data for something like a chip 7 or bump and run 8 are not separated from full shots. This leads to the device believing I average

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yeah,one suggestion I mentioned to the engineers is that we really need a way to get data on 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 shots with each club. That way we know how far a 7 iron punch out from the trees would go. I think we will get there soon.

[@bradfortner8921]

@@LetsPlayThru It's a good idea. I guess I still struggle to understand then, if you already know to use the partial shots, and the appropriate club in those situations, does the device really play a role? To be fair, I'm a bit minimalist. I struggled to finally put a laser on the bag, but it's been nice.

[@huddwah]

oh yeah, agreed. I think one of the other tracking competitors registers bump and runs separately based on distance to the green... Garmin seem pretty lacking in the app and advanced stats compared with others...

[@NoPlayJack]

Brad, Arccos allows you to not count certain shots so it doesn’t skew your data incorrectly

[@bradfortner8921]

@@NoPlayJack Nice, I only used it early on, and it didn't at that point (had another system with red adaptors that also didn't , but can't recall the name). If they've added that, good start.

[@mrad7586]

One thing these devices are missing… practice range distances. The GPS should be able to map the target greens quite easily.

[@justinhamrick384]

I have an older Apple watch and have been looking at upgrading it. I do currently use the Arccos app and like it (which has options other than using a watch). How does the Garman caddy compare to Arccos? Do you feel there is an advantage with one over the other? Looks like you don't need sensors with the Garmin, but they make things better.

[@LetsPlayThru]

Garmin and Arccos were pretty on par…UNTIL this new s70. I think it’s now a massive leap forward. You’re right, sensors are optional.

[@ryanwalters694]

Will the across app work on a gen3 watch?

[@decafmocha211]

Can this legally be used on the PGA ?

[@Wildcater86]

So I’ve been using Arccos for a few years and have lots of data built up. You reviewed the Arccos a year ago. Do you see an obvious performance difference between the two? I use the Arccos app on my I watch for distance but I like the phone app to view strategy because I can read it without reading glasses. Looks like Garmin only works on the watch. Is that correct?

[@jl9752]

Man I’m really torn on whether to upgrade from my S62. The screen brightness and resolution looks so much better. Though I must question the sanity of the AI as it suggested Gabe hits his 3 wood to start … wink wink….😂

[@SplashFPV]

Just ordered the s70 based on your review coming from the s62. Does it transfer my current bag with plenty of rounds in the app or does it need five rounds again with the new watch?

[@LetsPlayThru]

It should retrieve your rounds as long as they get synched to the app

[@PNWLiving1725]

Do you have to phy a subscription?

[@johnr3514]

this is really nice but they missed the mark by not having NFC detect of a tag so you do not have to swipe and tap your club. other wise very nice

[@LetsPlayThru]

If you pair with the CT10 sensors you will get that functionality. Highly recommend

[@jeffseltzer]

I don't see how this is significantly different/better than using an app like 18birdies??

[@TheBandit13]

You just sold be my friend heading out to get one!

[@LetsPlayThru]

Won’t be disappointed

[@gilbertamthor5098]

What about when you are finished ? Can you see on garmin connect all your stats??? Fairways hit, GIR, putts , ……….

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yes inside the app you can see each shot mapped out as well as dive deeper into the stats.

[@Hiwinders]

I hope Garmin will update the Epix 2 with this software. But I doubt they will :-(.

[@LetsPlayThru]

They told me they would, so keep an eye out for the update later in the year

[@TexasVeteranGolfer]

is there a subscription fee

[@LetsPlayThru]

No

[@JamesBrock72]

The only issue with using this and other watch apps is that it detracts from the enjoyment of the game since you spend most of your time dealing with technology. Great video though.

[@PrebenRøikjær]

Apparently the virtual caddie forgot to fix the pitchmark from your approach shot. :p

[@OTIS8883]

Was interested, but after watching your vid I’m turned away. Do wanna see the map of each hole and yardages. But it gets pretty annoying that I have to keep clicking the watch, wanna play the game based on my own judgement not having a caddy around interfere me. And it distracts a lot and slow down the pace. Played a 6300 course this summer after 15years break with only 2 visits to driving range before the game and shot 83. I’m basically guessing every shots, I was pretty close. Game is fun without these gadgets.

[@alanrutland4424]

Hi Gabe. This is £600 in the uk. That is very pricey. Great review but will give this a miss. 😊. Pretty sure you would have come up with all the answers without it.

[@jamesnelson8356]

Paid £540 for mine and the feedback on shots and stat tracking is awesome. Even works out your handicap and logs everything. Not to mention it has tons of other sports on the watch also. I have an Apple Watch and this s70 destroys it. Worth every penny

[@olelauridsen5854]

@LetsPlayThru Could you maybe do a video where you use the S70 and the Z30 together? ⛳️🏌‍♂️

[@dallasreid7755]

Civilian GPS is only accurate to about 10 metres which (certainly for me, a 3 handicap player) is not nearly accurate enough. I use a laser range finder. Of course you might want this thing for other reasons than distance.

[@LetsPlayThru]

This is accurate to within one yard

[@BROU-bb2uc]

Seen you playing with Mr short game👍

[@LetsPlayThru]

Yeah, that was really fun. He is a very cool guy.

[@Skye_the_toller]

Does it promote slow play? It seems you have to spend a lot of time playing with it instead of stay focus on your game…

[@j1238066]

I'm 74 yrs old & this doesn't work for me personally because I wear bifocal sunglasses & it's too hard to see in bright sun, the voice caddy works better for seniors

[@GolfGarbage]

Look at the bushnell phantom or garmin approach g30

[@Tiermeeko]

One year later still waiting for it to change anything 😅

[@chriskittredge8329]

I have Gen 3 Arccos sensors right now. Do you feel like the caddy features from the S70 along with the CT10s will provide a better AI caddy experience? All of the courses I play near me have Garmin Contour data

[@LetsPlayThru]

It’s definitely the most advanced AI caddy I have used. With the CT10s it’s a seamless experience.

[@nbargolf]

Great watch but $700 is why too high for me to even consider.

[@GolfUser]

9:31 Repair your pitch marks man 🙃

[@malcolmcooper2916]

I have now owned 3 Garin in different forms, why don't Garmin tell you that the battery can't be replaced, just use it and throw your £300 golf watch away after 3/4 years

[@AussiePeter]

I’ve got the Fenix and had it for 10 years. They replaced the battery for me. Contact Garmin.

[@sfjeanfrancois]

I need a virtual player not a caddie 😂

[@LetsPlayThru]

🤣🤣🤣

[@CybekCusal]

112 lob wedge and 140 8 iron. As if...

[@thelammas8283]

I have Arccos. I understand much better why I still suck.