Often with simplicity when it comes to golf watches you also get a limited array of features but the new G6 watch from Shot Scope well and truly bucks that trend. Despite the modest price tag of £179.99 it comes with full color hole maps, distances to hazards and doglegs, lay up points and a built in scorecard. But how do they work in practice? I took it to the course over multiple rounds to find out.
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The first observation would be how simple this watch is to set up and get going. You literally just have to charge it via the included usb cable, turn it on and navigate to ‘Play Golf’ on the menu. You make your selections using the buttons on the four corners of the watch - they’re a little fiddly to press at times but the labels in front of them explain clearly what each one does. I don’t think the lack of touchscreen detracts from the experience - golfers who just want the crucial distance information without the bells and whistles of the sister X5 watch or competitors like the Garmin Approach S70 will appreciate how this keeps the cost down.
It typically takes just a few seconds for the course to be located and, like the best golf watches, the opening screen displays the front, middle and back distances in a way that is clearly visible in all light conditions. The screen is on the small side, but not to the point that you have to squint to see anything, plus the compact nature of the watch as a hole ensures it doesn't distract you during the swing.
The bottom-left button is where the bulk of the features are accessed. You have to press it twice, once to unlock it (which is a little annoying every time) and then again to bring up the hazard information. I like how you get distances to reach and carry them and it was obvious to me which hazard the numbers were referring to when cross referencing them with the hole maps. Speaking of, these aerial views were a little basic in design but showed enough to see what lay ahead and how far away certain points were. This really came in handy on blind tee shots or on new courses and you can easily scroll up and down the hole to see the distance at which points of interest lie.
I also liked the ability to move the pin location around by cycling through a host of positions to get a more specific distance if you’re feeling aggressive and want to go flag hunting, although this requires a good understanding of exactly where the pin is located. The G6 will prompt you after each hole to enter your score and it will then display this on the home screen so you can keep track.
The G6 watch doesn’t have the ability to track shots like the V5 watch or the X5 and you could argue the extra £20 to get the V5 is probably better value, but only if you’re into your stats and want that added insight into your play. With the G6 you can wear it on either arm and you do get two interchangeable straps (from a choice of 12 colors) which, it has to be said, are made from a very soft material that genuinely enhances the comfort on your wrist. There's no doubt this is one of the best value golf watches on the market in 2025 and beyond.
