What They Have in Common
Both are color touchscreen GPS watches in the $280–$300 range. Both preload 40,000+ courses, skip the subscription requirement for basic use, include hazard distances and green views, have tournament modes that drop slope, and use a silicone band with 1-year warranty. Neither tracks heart rate or has smartwatch fitness features worth mentioning.
Where They Differ
Display and Battery
This is where the gap is biggest. The S44 runs an AMOLED display at 1.2 inches; the W12 uses a TFT-LCD at 1.32 inches. Bigger doesn't always win here — AMOLED panels typically look sharper in direct sunlight, and the S44's 390×390 resolution on a smaller screen means higher pixel density. TFT-LCD performance in bright light varies by implementation, and I don't have enough data on the W12's specific panel to call it a wash.
Battery is not close. The S44 gets 15 hours in GPS mode; the W12 gets 10. On a walking 18-hole round that runs four hours, you're not going to drain either. But if you play back-to-back days, travel with limited charging access, or just forget to charge, 15 hours is a meaningful cushion. The S44 also charges via USB-C — the W12 uses a proprietary rechargeable lithium polymer setup. That matters more than it sounds when you're traveling and already carrying a USB-C cable for your phone.
Green Contours and PlaysLike Distance
This is where the W12 punches back. It includes green undulation — color-coded green contour data — at no extra cost, on the majority of US courses. The S44 shows a flat green view unless you pay $99.99/year for Garmin Golf membership, which also unlocks PlaysLike Distance and enhanced maps.
The W12 also includes PlaysLike Distance (slope-adjusted) built-in without a subscription.
So if you're comparing these two watches at face value, the W12 ships with two features the S44 withholds behind a paywall. Over three years, that's roughly $300 in Garmin Golf membership fees to access the same capabilities the GolfBuddy includes on day one. That's not nothing. It's just that the S44's advantages elsewhere — battery, display tech, ecosystem, and 43,000 courses vs 40,000 — make the membership cost a more tolerable trade-off for most golfers.
Shot Tracking
Neither watch does automatic shot detection. The S44 supports manual shot tracking on-watch and is compatible with Garmin's CT10 club sensors, which add auto-tracking — but those sensors are sold separately and run around $350 for a full set. If you want automatic shot tracking, both watches send you shopping elsewhere. The W12 has auto hole and course recognition for its digital scorecard, which is a nice touch for not having to fiddle with the watch between holes, but it's not the same as shot detection.
Form Factor and Durability
Here's an odd one: the W12 is physically larger (46mm case, 46×55.6mm) but lighter at 33g vs the S44's 42g. That size-to-weight ratio comes from the battery and internal construction differences. Both pass a 5 ATM vs IPX7 water rating test — 5 ATM is rated for swimming and light water activities, IPX7 covers submersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes. They're effectively equivalent for rain and sweat; 5 ATM is slightly more rigorous.
One thing worth noting: the W12 is a 2023 product that's no longer stocked on GolfBuddy's US storefront as of mid-2026. It's still available through retailers, but you're buying older hardware against a 2025 release. That matters for longevity of software support, even though course updates are free on both.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the Garmin Approach S44 if:
- You play more than once a week and want a battery that doesn't keep score
- You use USB-C for everything and don't want another charging cable
- You're fine paying for green contours eventually — or don't care about contour data at all
- You want AMOLED display quality and a Garmin ecosystem (Golf app, potential future sensor pairing)
- You're buying a watch in 2026 and want current hardware with active software support
Get the GolfBuddy aim W12 if:
- Green contours and PlaysLike Distance are non-negotiable features for you
- You refuse to pay any annual membership fee, full stop
- The W12 is available near $199 at a retailer and the $100 savings over a comparable S44 purchase changes the math
- You prefer a larger 1.32-inch display and find smaller screens harder to read mid-round
- Ten hours of battery covers your typical rounds with enough margin
The Bottom Line
The Garmin Approach S44 is the better watch. AMOLED display, 15 hours of GPS battery, USB-C charging, 43,000 courses, and a 2025 release date. The W12 includes green contours and PlaysLike Distance without a subscription, which is a real advantage — but if you don't want to pay $100/year for those features on the S44, you can also just not pay and use the watch as a straightforward GPS. Most golfers won't miss contours enough to choose a 2023 watch with a shorter battery over a 2025 watch with better hardware. If you're chasing sub-$200 pricing on a W12 closeout and contours matter to you, it's a reasonable trade. Otherwise, the S44 is the buy.
Get the Garmin Approach S44.