Back on the golf course after a 15-year hiatus, the Garmin Venu X1 has proven to be a significant aid for me
The Garmin Venu X1 watch is making waves in the world of golf and smartwatches, offering a unique blend of features that cater to both golf enthusiasts and fitness aficionados.
A Golf Watch with a Difference
The Venu X1 stands out due to its high-quality, bright touchscreen and display. With sharp, colorful maps, it enhances course navigation and readability compared to many traditional golf watches or apps on less vivid displays.
Unlike dedicated golf watches, the Venu X1 supports full smartwatch functions (calls, music, fitness tracking) while delivering premium golf data like PlaysLike distances, green contour heat maps, and compatibility with Garmin’s CT sensors.
Automatic Golf Shot Tracking and Post-Round Analytics
One of the Venu X1's standout features is its automatic golf shot tracking. The watch detects swings and tracks shots and movement until the next hit, providing statistics like driving distance, accuracy, and greens in regulation. This feature eliminates the need for manual input, a common requirement with many golf apps.
Quick Yardage Checks and Long Battery Life
Golfers can instantly see accurate GPS distances at any point during their round, avoiding slowdowns caused by fiddling with rangefinders or apps on a phone. The Venu X1's battery life lasts up to 8 days per charge, supporting extended use without frequent recharging.
Comfortable and Lightweight Design
Weighing just 40g, the Venu X1 is half as light as many premium smartwatches. Its sleek, modern form factor makes it comfortable for all-day wear, unlike some bulky, dedicated golf watches mainly suited for the course.
A Compelling Alternative
Priced around $799, the Venu X1 delivers features comparable to Garmin’s higher-end golf-centric watches like the Fenix 8 or S70 but also functions as a daily fitness and lifestyle smartwatch. For casual to intermediate golfers wanting both golf and smartwatch capabilities, this blend is a strong selling point.
In contrast, dedicated golf tech or apps often focus solely on golf features but lack the broader lifestyle functions and seamless integration the Venu X1 provides. Other smartwatches may not have as advanced or golf-specific features, or may have lower screen quality affecting usability on the course.
In summary, the Garmin Venu X1 stands out for golfers who desire a premium golf experience combined with diverse smartwatch and fitness features, exceptional display quality, automatic shot tracking, and great wearability for daily use. It's a compelling alternative to both dedicated golf devices and generic smartwatches.
[1] TechRadar. (2023). Garmin Venu X1 review. [online] Available at: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/garmin-venu-x1
[2] Wareable. (2023). Garmin Venu X1 review. [online] Available at: https://www.wareable.com/smartwatches/garmin-venu-x1-review-7065
[3] CNET. (2023). Garmin Venu X1 review. [online] Available at: https://www.cnet.com/reviews/garmin-venu-x1/
[4] The Verge. (2023). Garmin Venu X1 review: A smartwatch for golfers. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/23701278/garmin-venu-x1-review-smartwatch-golf
[5] Tom's Guide. (2023). Garmin Venu X1 review. [online] Available at: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/garmin-venu-x1-review
