What They Have in Common
Both are wrist-worn GPS watches in the same tier, same screen size (1.2 in), same general form factor. Both show full-color hole maps with hazard distances, cover over 36,000 courses with free updates, support manual scoring, and need no subscription to function. Tournament legal on both.
Where They Differ
Display and Interface
The S44 has an AMOLED touchscreen — the colors are vivid, the screen pops, and navigating it feels like using a smartphone. The V5 runs a MIP display (memory in pixel), which is duller in a side-by-side but nearly unbeatable in direct sunlight. MIP doesn't wash out the way some other displays do. The V5's notes actually flag that button navigation works better than a touchscreen in rain, which is probably the most on-the-nose observation about playing in real conditions. If you're a fair-weather golfer, the S44's display wins visually. If you play through whatever the sky throws at you, the V5's button navigation might be the more practical choice.
Shot Tracking and Stats
This is where the comparison gets lopsided. The V5 includes 16 club tracking tags in the box — screw them into your grip butts, and the watch automatically detects and records every shot. After the round, you get 100+ stats including strokes gained and handicap benchmarking, all free, forever. The S44 does manual tracking only and is compatible with Garmin's CT10 sensors — but those sensors are sold separately, and you'll pay extra for them. The S44 also has no strokes gained data at all (a note in the spec flags this may be available through the app, but that's unverified). If tracking your game matters, the V5 is the clear winner here, and it costs $50 less.
Subscription and Total Cost
The S44's base tier is free, but some of the features that make it competitive — PlaysLike Distance and green contours — are locked behind Garmin Golf membership at $9.99/month or $99.99/year. Over three years, that's roughly $300 on top of the $299.99 watch price. The V5 has no subscription, no membership tiers, no paywalled features. Over three years, you're paying $249.99 total. The cost-of-ownership gap is significant if you'd actually use those Garmin features — and it's worth deciding upfront whether you'd pay for them or just go without.
Smartwatch Features and Specs
The S44 has smart notifications (texts, calls, calendar alerts come through on your wrist), a silver aluminum bezel, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and a 15-hour GPS battery. It also lists slope mode. The V5 has none of those smartwatch extras — no notifications, no slope mode — and several specs including battery life in GPS hours and water resistance aren't specified by Shot Scope on the product page. The S44 is rated 5 ATM; the V5's water resistance is listed as not specified. Both lack heart rate, sleep tracking, music, and payments.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the Shot Scope V5 if:
- You want automatic shot tracking without buying add-on sensors
- You care about strokes gained or any serious post-round stats
- You're not interested in paying for a subscription — ever
- You play in variable weather and want button navigation that works wet
- You want to spend less and get more golf-specific capability
Get the Garmin Approach S44 if:
- The AMOLED display matters to you — for readability, aesthetics, or both
- You want smart notifications on your wrist during a round
- You already use the Garmin ecosystem and have CT10 sensors or plan to buy them
- You'd actually pay the $99.99/yr Garmin Golf membership for PlaysLike and green contours
- Slope mode is something you use regularly
The Bottom Line
The V5 wins on golf functionality for less money. Included tags, automatic shot tracking, 100+ stats including strokes gained, free forever — that's a strong package at $249.99. The S44 is a nicer-looking watch with a better display and smartwatch features the V5 doesn't have, but you'll pay a premium for those things, and potentially another $300 over three years if you want its better features unlocked. That math only works if the Garmin ecosystem is worth it to you specifically. For most golfers who want to actually understand their game, the V5 is the sharper tool at the lower price.
Get the Shot Scope V5.
See Also