Garmin has officially stepped into the junior golf space with the launch of the Approach J1, a smartwatch designed specifically for young golfers. While many golf watches are built with adult players in mind, this one focuses on what junior players actually need—a comfortable fit, a clean interface, and features that help them learn the game without feeling overwhelmed.
Available worldwide, the Approach J1 is built to sit comfortably on smaller wrists thanks to its slim, lightweight design, making it a practical option for kids who want something they can wear through practice, lessons, and full rounds.
Garmin added several features that feel specifically designed to support young golfers rather than professional-level analytics. The result is a smartwatch that helps juniors play better while also keeping the round smooth and fun.
One of the biggest problems with traditional golf watches is that they can feel bulky for kids. The Approach J1 solves this with a compact and lightweight body, making it easier to wear for long rounds without discomfort. It also comes with Garmin’s ComfortFit textile strap, which is a smart choice for juniors because it feels softer, lighter, and less “heavy-duty” compared to typical rubber watch bands.
Instead of packing the screen with too much information, Garmin keeps the interface clean and junior-friendly. This makes it easier for kids to focus on the game rather than scrolling through complicated menus while standing over the ball.
To help juniors keep up with the pace of the group, the Approach J1 includes a visual timer that shows the recommended pace of play. This is a practical feature that not only helps kids stay on track but also teaches them one of the most important habits in golf—respecting the flow of the course.
Another feature that feels genuinely useful is how the watch offers tee-off guidance that adjusts based on the player’s ability. Junior golf is all about learning, and not every player should be forced into the same par expectations.
With the Approach J1, juniors can set their round in a way that matches their current skill level, helping them build confidence while still improving.
Garmin also allows players to change par settings to match the junior golfer’s ability. This is especially helpful for beginners who may be playing on shorter tees or modified course layouts, where the standard par might not reflect their real playing experience.
Instead of feeling like every hole is automatically a struggle, juniors can track progress in a way that feels more realistic and encouraging.
Choosing the right club is one of the biggest learning curves in golf. The Approach J1 includes club suggestions, helping young players make smarter decisions based on what they’re trying to achieve.
For kids who are still figuring out distances and consistency, this can make practice sessions more structured and help develop better on-course habits.
Garmin didn’t ignore the fun side of junior sports. The watch includes celebratory animations, a small but meaningful touch that adds motivation for kids when they perform well during a round.
It’s the kind of feature that makes the experience feel rewarding, especially for new players who are building confidence.
Juniors can record scores directly on the watch, and everything syncs with the Garmin Golf smartphone app. This makes it easy for parents, coaches, or players themselves to keep track of performance over time without using paper scorecards.
It also gives a more modern experience for juniors who are used to tracking progress through apps in other sports.
One of the biggest highlights of the Garmin Approach J1 is the built-in course coverage. The watch comes with over 43,000 preloaded golf courses, meaning juniors can start using it immediately without searching and manually loading courses.
This is a huge advantage for:
It keeps the experience simple and reliable, which is exactly what younger golfers need.
Even though the Approach J1 is designed for juniors, Garmin still gives it a premium screen experience.
The watch features a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen with a 390 x 390 pixel resolution, delivering sharp visuals and vibrant clarity. The AMOLED panel should also make the interface easier to see outdoors, especially on bright course days.
For those who prefer the watch face always visible, Garmin includes an always-on display mode, letting users keep a constant view without having to wake the screen repeatedly.
Battery life is always a big deal with smartwatches—especially for golf, where a full round can take hours.
The Approach J1 offers:
That’s more than enough for multiple rounds of golf and training sessions without constant charging.
Garmin didn’t limit the Approach J1 to golf only. It also supports other activities and basic fitness tracking, making it useful even on non-golf days.
The watch can track activities like:
It also includes GPS distance monitoring, which helps juniors track outdoor movement more accurately.
On top of that, the smartwatch includes everyday tools such as:
This makes it a practical daily wearable for young athletes who want something they can wear to school, practice, and weekends on the course.
Garmin is offering the Approach J1 in two color combinations:
These options feel well-balanced—one sportier and neutral, the other more vibrant and youthful—giving juniors a little more personality choice.
The Garmin Approach J1 officially goes on sale January 23rd, with pricing set as:
With global availability and junior-focused features, Garmin is clearly positioning this smartwatch as a premium starting point for young golfers who want real course tools, not a basic fitness band.
The Garmin Approach J1 is a smart move for junior golf. Instead of forcing kids to use adult-focused golf wearables, Garmin has built a watch that feels genuinely made for younger players—lighter on the wrist, easier on the eyes, and supportive of learning the game.
With 43,000+ courses preloaded, junior-friendly guidance, club suggestions, and score tracking that syncs to the Garmin Golf app, it offers a complete experience that blends training, fun, and real course support. And thanks to its AMOLED display and strong battery life, it looks and performs like a serious smartwatch too.
For junior golfers who want to take their game more seriously—or for parents looking for a feature-packed golf companion for their child—the Approach J1 delivers a thoughtful mix of coaching support and smartwatch convenience in one clean package.
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