The Approach: A GPS golf device and a launch monitor—all in one.

That’s what Garmin is offering with its Approach G80, which will not only offer you detailed yardages when you’re playing, but is also able to analyze your swing and provide advanced metrics. Kind of like having a combined caddy and a golf instructor, right in your pocket.

The Hook: Everyone knows how a GPS unit works on course, offering distances to greens and hazards, and helping you plot your way around the course. The Approach G80 does that well, with a 3.5-inch sunlight-readable screen and battery that lasts up to 15 hours. But it also integrates a launch monitor, tracking club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, and estimating distance.

Key technologies

• A great GPS unit, the G80 offers 41,000 preloaded full-colour courses.
• Touch targeting allows the golfer to pinpoint the distances to any place on the course, whether it is the back of a green, or a fairway bunker.
• The “PlaysLike” feature determines yardage based on whether the shot is up or down hill.
• Comes with built in modes—warm-up, tempo training, virtual round and target practice—allowing you to use the unit while practicing. The G80 can be used to hone tempo, and downswing timing.
• Virtual tournament mode allows golfers to compete with friends on notable courses, regardless of where they are in the world, and the target practice function offers challenges for golfers using their driver, irons and short game. It can also be used in a two-player challenge mode.

Who’s it for

The G80 is the unit for the golfer who wants more than simply a GPS unit in the side pocket of their bag. This is for the golfer who is serious about their warmup and practice, but still wants precise distances when they are on the course. As a combination of launch monitor and GPS, Garmin’s Approach G80 has the details dialed in.

Garmin Approach G80 is available now.