Introducing the Approach S6 Golf Watch

Today we are excited to announce the Approach S6 touchscreen watch equipped with all-new golf watch technology. The Approach S6 boasts first-of-its-kind swing metrics and training tools right on a golfer’s wrist. SwingTempo, TempoTrainer and SwingStrength can be used to improve golfers’ swing consistency and synchronization, making the S6 an essential tool on the driving range, in the tee box, on the green, or even in the clubhouse. The S6 is the first golf watch to offer full CourseView maps with GreenView, Touch Targeting, and PinPointer on a high-res color touchscreen. Like other Garmin golf devices, the Approach S6 comes preloaded with more than 30,000 international courses with no additional subscriptions or fees. With this brand new technology, the Approach S6 provides what a golfer needs to improve their game in a sleek wristwatch.

“The Approach S6 provides golfers with performance and training data that has never been available in a wristwatch before,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “The new swing metrics, paired with the color CourseView maps, high-res touchscreen display and Smart Notifications make the S6 the first golf watch that packs the power of a handheld into a sleek form factor.”

The Approach S6 is the first golf watch with these advanced Swing Metrics, which include SwingTempo, TempoTrainer, and SwingStrength. SwingTempo measures the relationship between a golfer’s backswing and downswing, and shows it as a ratio. In studies of successful golf swings, an ideal ratio of 3:1 has been established, even with individual variations of speed. TempoTrainer uses the 3:1 ratio and gives golfers audible tones to synchronize their swing mechanics and fine-tune their tempo. The S6 also features SwingStrength, which provides golfers with immediate feedback on their power percentage, to help golfers calculate and remember how hard they hit each club. The Approach S6 also has a Handicap Scoring feature, which provides handicap scoring options for individual holes, golfer’s local handicap, or index/slope methods.

Previously only available in golf handhelds, the Approach S6 offers full-color course views for more than 30,000 international courses and has a dedicated CourseView button. CourseView allows golfers to preview hole details like doglegs, traps, water hazards, and green shapes while they’re on the course or even in the clubhouse. In addition to CourseView, the Approach S6 also has GreenView, which shows golfers the layout of the green, as well as nearby bunkers and water hazards, so golfers can use the touchscreen to drag and drop the pin to the day’s location, giving them the most accurate yardages. The Approach S6 even has PinPointer, which offers blind shot assistance by providing an arrow pointing directly to the green. With this feature, golfers know exactly where to line up their shot, no matter if they are in the woods or deep in a trap. With the high-resolution touchscreen, the Approach S6 boasts the Touch Targeting feature to show the precise distance to any point on the hole, whether it’s a fairway, hazard, or green.

Although the Approach S6 is the slimmest, lightest golf watch from Garmin, it boasts 10 hours of battery life in full GPS mode or 20 weeks in watch mode. The Approach S6 is also equipped with Smart Notification technology. When paired with an iPhone 4S or later, golfers can receive text, email and missed call alerts right on the watch. This way, golfers can stay connected on the course, but leave their phone in the cart or packed away in their bags. Android compatibility expected in summer 2014.

The Approach S6 also doubles as an electronic scorecard to save, review, and share scorecards and stats. Sync the Approach S6 to Garmin Connect or Garmin Connect Mobile, and golfers will be able to upload, analyze and share their scorecards, as well as other data like fairways hit, greens in regulation, shot distance and number of putts. They can even analyze course data, and see hole-by-hole details to understand their own trends and tendencies to improve their game. This is great to track golfers’ progress and improvements over time for every course they play.

Water resistant to 50 meters¹, the Approach S6 is durable enough to withstand a rainstorm, or users’ golf bags without fear of damage. The Approach S6 will be available in Q3 2014, and will have a suggested retail price of $399.99. The Approach S6 is a 2014 reddot product design winner and will be available at specialty golf retailers, golf course pro-shops and on garmin.com.

The Approach S6 is the latest addition to Garmin’s outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, geocaching, golfing, dog training, or capturing it all on VIRB action cameras, Garmin outdoor devices are becoming essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. For more information about Garmin’s other outdoor products and services, go to garmin.com/sports and facebook.com/garmin.

¹ 5ATM Water rating.

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