The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Garmin Approach S72 is the more directly golf-focused choice for golfers interested in new swing-practice metrics, driving-range tracking and putting analytics. The MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) Carbon Edition is the luxury option: Garmin lists it at $3,100 in the U.S. and includes three Approach CT10 club-tracking sensors. The S72 starts at $799.99 U.S. suggested retail. Those are published specifications and prices—not evidence that one watch is more accurate, comfortable or durable on the course.
Which Garmin golf watch fits your game?
- Choose the Approach S72 if the newer golf-practice features are your priority, or if you want to choose between 43 mm and 47 mm sizes. Garmin announced it on October 6, 2026, with U.S. availability at launch. Its U.S. suggested retail price starts at $799.99. Garmin’s S72 announcement.
- Consider the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) Carbon Edition if you specifically want its premium materials, broader multisport and outdoor positioning, and the three CT10 sensors Garmin lists in the box. Garmin’s U.S. listing showed $3,100 when accessed October 7, 2026. Garmin’s Carbon Edition listing.
“MARQ Golfer” can refer to different generations and configurations. The MARQ specifications and price in this comparison are for the MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) Carbon Edition, part number 010-02722-20—not every watch sold under the MARQ Golfer name.
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How the published specifications compare
| Factor | Approach S72 | MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) Carbon Edition |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. price | Starts at $799.99 suggested retail, per Garmin’s October 6, 2026 announcement. | $3,100 USD on Garmin’s U.S. listing, accessed October 7, 2026. |
| Size and display | 43 mm or 47 mm; bright AMOLED display. | 46 mm case; 1.2-inch, 390 × 390 AMOLED display. |
| Golf practice and analysis | Golf biometrics; swing metrics including hand speed, backswing length and wrist rotation; driving-range activity; putting analytics. | Virtual Caddie, wind data, PlaysLike distance, green and hazard views, PinPointer, golf performance statistics and CT10 club-tracking support. |
| Course and green features | Green reading and aerial imagery; Garmin says listed features require an active Garmin Golf membership, and green-reading coverage is limited to select courses. | More than 43,000 preloaded CourseView maps; green contour data on select courses with an active Garmin Golf membership. |
| Club sensors in the box | No CT10 sensors were identified as included in Garmin’s cited S72 announcement; that does not establish incompatibility. | Three Approach CT10 sensors, according to Garmin’s product listing. |
| Materials and straps | Titanium bezel, sapphire lens and ComfortFit fabric band. | Fused carbon fiber housing and bezel inlay, Grade 5 titanium components and domed sapphire crystal. Includes a hybrid leather/FKM rubber strap and a black silicone strap. |
| Battery claims | Up to 20 hours on course for the larger watch; up to 16 days with GPS off, per Garmin. | Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode (6 days with always-on display); up to 42 hours in GPS-only mode; up to 20 hours with all satellite systems plus multi-band, per Garmin’s Carbon Edition listing. |
These are manufacturer-published claims. Battery figures describe different modes and settings, so the maximum numbers are not a direct comparison of expected playing time. The S72’s on-course figure is specified for the larger size; MARQ’s GPS figures vary by satellite mode.
What the S72 adds for golf practice
On-wrist swing metrics
Garmin lists hand speed, backswing length and wrist rotation among the S72’s swing metrics. These make it the more clearly practice-oriented choice in Garmin’s published description for a golfer who wants swing-related information from the watch. The announcement does not establish that the metrics improve scores or are more accurate than another device.
#1 Best Overall
- Premium golf smartwatch features a lightweight titanium bezel, durable sapphire lens, ComfortFit fabric band, built-in flashlight, speaker and microphone
- Preloaded with 43,000+ full-color CourseView maps; option to get an enhanced view of the shot ahead with aerial imagery (requires a Garmin Golf membership)
- Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours of battery life in golf activity mode, so you can play round after round
- Look back on your round to see how heart rate affected your performance and start to see trends in how your biometric data and score relate (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Gain a better understanding of your swing during your range session and after your round with swing metrics, which include hand speed, backswing length, wrist rotation and more
Range sessions and putting
The S72 announcement also highlights driving-range activity and putting analytics, alongside golf biometrics. Those features broaden its stated focus beyond course navigation to practice and analysis. The available specifications do not provide an independent head-to-head assessment of the resulting data.
Green reading and membership conditions
Garmin lists green reading and aerial imagery for the S72, but says listed features require an active Garmin Golf membership and that green-reading coverage is limited to select courses. For the MARQ Carbon Edition, Garmin lists green contour data on select courses with an active membership. Check whether the courses you play are covered and review current membership terms before treating these features as available to you.
Rank #2
- Stunning 1.4” AMOLED display brings more than 43,000 preloaded full-color CourseView maps to life on your wrist
- Look good on and off the course with a lightweight, stylish design and ceramic bezel
- Battery life: up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Enhanced golf course maps allow you to see intricate details with the ability to pan and zoom for narrowing in on your target distance
- Improved virtual caddie feature shows your shot dispersion data and suggests a club based on a variety of factors, including your historical swing data, elevation, wind speed, wind direction and more
What the MARQ Carbon Edition adds
Included CT10 sensors
Garmin lists three Approach CT10 sensors in the Carbon Edition box. That is a concrete distinction if you want the included club-tracking hardware. The S72 announcement does not identify included CT10 sensors; it does not, by itself, establish whether the S72 is compatible with separately purchased sensors. Verify compatibility and current sensor pricing before buying additional accessories.
Luxury construction and broader sports positioning
The Carbon Edition combines a fused carbon fiber case and bezel inlay with Grade 5 titanium components and a domed sapphire crystal. Garmin also positions the MARQ Gen 2 collection as luxury tool watches for land, sea and air, and the Carbon Edition listing includes multisport features alongside golf. The S72, by contrast, is presented as a golf smartwatch with everyday health and smartwatch functions.
Rank #3
- Stunning 1.2” color AMOLED display brings 43,000+ preloaded courses to life on your wrist
- Be comfortable on and off the course with the lightweight ComfortFit nylon strap
- Battery life: up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and up to 15 hours in GPS mode
- Get distance to the front, middle and back of the green and navigate bunkers, water hazards and layups with hazard view
- Playslike Distance feature tells you how far each shot truly is, with adjusted yardage for elevation changes
Garmin introduced the MARQ Gen 2 collection in 2022 with a launch price range of $1,900–$2,400. That was the historical range for the collection at launch, not the current listed price for the Carbon Edition. Garmin’s 2022 MARQ Gen 2 announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price, fit and battery: the practical trade-offs
Price and materials
Garmin’s cited U.S. figures put the S72’s starting suggested retail price at $799.99 and the MARQ Carbon Edition listing at $3,100. The latter is a premium-material configuration with included CT10 sensors, not simply a higher-priced version of the S72. Prices and availability can differ outside the U.S.; the cited S72 price is a launch-era U.S. suggested retail figure, while the MARQ price is the U.S. listing accessed October 7, 2026.
Rank #4
- New round watch design with a high-resolution sunlight-readable display
- Battery life: up to 30 hours in GPS Mode
- More than 42,000 courses preloaded from around the world
- Keep score right on the watch and upload directly to the Garmin Golf app (when paired with a compatible smartphone) to participate in weekly leaderboards
- Automatically keep track of your score and how far you hit with each club with compatible Approach CT10 club tracking sensors (sold separately)
Size and all-day wear
The S72 offers 43 mm and 47 mm sizes and a fabric band. Garmin lists the MARQ Carbon Edition at 46 mm, with its heavier premium-material construction and two included straps. Those specifications help narrow fit preferences, but they cannot establish which watch will feel better on a particular wrist.
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Battery depends on mode
Garmin’s S72 figure is up to 20 hours on course for the larger watch and up to 16 days with GPS off. For the MARQ Carbon Edition, Garmin lists up to 42 hours in GPS-only mode, but up to 20 hours with all satellite systems plus multi-band; smartwatch mode is up to 16 days, or 6 days with always-on display. Settings and mode matter, so these published maxima do not prove which watch will last longer in a particular round or routine.
Best Value
- Slim design with a stunning 1.2” color AMOLED display that brings 43,000+ preloaded courses to life on your wrist
- Get distance to the front, middle and back of the green and navigate bunkers, water hazards and layups with hazard view
- Pair with optional Approach CT1 or CT10 club trackers (sold separately) for shot-tracking capabilities, so you have a clearer picture of which parts of your game to focus on
- Easily keep score as you play, and upload to the Garmin Golf smartphone app for advanced stat tracking and handicap calculation
- Leave your phone in the cart and get smart notifications sent to your wrist — including emails, texts and alerts when paired with your iPhone or Android smartphone
What the published specs cannot settle
The available Garmin materials do not provide independent comparative results for GPS or golf-feature accuracy, battery endurance in identical real-world conditions, comfort, durability or scoring improvement. Garmin describes the watches’ functions and materials, but those claims do not establish how well either will perform for an individual golfer. For course-dependent features, coverage and membership status matter as much as the feature list.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
