Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

Update Golf Courses and Device Software on an Approach Golf Device

CourseView maps (golf course mapping) have over 43,000 golf courses worldwide1 and growing. Garmin® releases new CourseView updates periodically each year. These updates will add new courses and revisions to existing courses as Garmin is notified. New device software is released periodically to enhance device performance. In general, software updates take a few minutes to complete, but CourseView map updates can take much longer due to the larger amount of information being updated.

Depending on your device there are different ways you can update the software and maps. All Approach devices can use the Garmin Express™ program to update both the software and maps, some can receive software updates (not maps) via the Garmin Golf™ app, and some devices can update the CourseView maps by using the Map Manager feature and a Wi-Fi connection. Choose an option to learn more:

Updating Software and Maps Using the Garmin Express Program

The Garmin Express program is software used to download and install the latest golf course maps and software updates for your Garmin® golf device.  The video below walks through the steps for updating software while using a Mac computer, but the steps are similar for a Windows computer. Step-by-step instructions are provided below the video.

Update an Approach Device Using Garmin Express

  1. Install the Garmin Express program on your computer. If you already have Express installed, skip this step.
  2. Connect your Approach device to your computer using the USB charging cable that came with the device.

    NOTE: See the charging the device section of the owner's manual.

  3. Launch the Garmin Express program by selectingExpress icon.
    NOTE: If you have installed the Garmin Express program for the first time, it will be launched during the installation process. If you already have Garmin Express installed, open Garmin Express from computer's applications.
    • Windows: Search for Garmin Express in your Start Menu.
    • Mac: Search for Garmin Express in Finder.
  4. Select the correct device, or if this is your first time using the Garmin Express program follow the steps in Adding and Removing Devices in Garmin Express to add your device.
  5. After the device is recognized, click Install All to install all available updates.
  6. Follow on-screen prompts for license agreement and selecting course regions if applicable.
  7. Once Garmin Express gives the Updates Complete message, safely eject the device from your computer before disconnecting it.
    • Windows: Press the Windows key + E, right-click the Garmin device and choose Eject (if the device is not listed it does not need to be ejected). Once the device disappears, disconnect it from the computer.
    • Mac: Drag the device to the Trash or select the Finder and choose the Eject symbol next to the Garmin device. Once the device disappears, disconnect it from the Mac.
      NOTE: Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) devices, such as the Approach® S62 watch or Approach® S70 watch, do not appear as a disk on the Mac. They do not need to be ejected.
  8. You may need to select Install Now to finish the update installation, or it may begin the installation automatically. 

Once the software update is completed, your Approach device may restart and then will return to the normal device screens. Some devices may give you a summary of the changes or new features that were added in the update.

Troubleshooting

The below sections cover common issues that might occur while trying to update your device.  

Computer Is Not Recognizing My Approach Device

If your Approach is not recognized by the computer, see Garmin Approach Golf Product Not Detected by Garmin Express.

My Approach Device Says No Courses Near

If your Approach displays the error No Courses Near, see No Courses Near Message on a Garmin Approach.

Next or Continue Button Is Missing in the Garmin Express Program

The display resolution on your computer or Dock placement on a Mac can prevent buttons at the bottom of the Garmin Express window from being visible. To correct this issue, see Garmin Application Does Not Fit on My Computer Screen.

How to Resolve Garmin Express Program Errors

If you encounter errors when using the Garmin Express program, search for the issue in Garmin's Support Center with Garmin Express identified as your product.

Updating Software Using the Garmin Golf App

Some devices that pair to the Garmin Golf app are able to download software updates through the Bluetooth connection with your phone. Other than having the device on and syncing to the app, there are no steps to take in order to keep the device up to date. If your device has not synced to the app in a long time, updating with the Garmin Express software may be necessary in order to get the latest software version.

Updating CourseView Maps using the Map Manager

Some Approach devices have a feature called Map Manager which allows you to update the mapping using a Wi-Fi connection from the watch. See Using Map Manager on Garmin Approach Golf Watches for steps on how to use the feature to update your maps on a compatible device.

1 Course capacity and coverage may differ for each device; to view course capacity and coverage, visit the product specs page for your Approach series device.

Related