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Resolving Inaccurate Golf Distances on a Garmin Watch
Golf course distance inaccuracies should be compared against course markers. Course markers generally measure to the center of the green, not the hole. This is important to remember because it can mean a difference of 20 to 30 yards on some shots. The golf watch will measure to the center of green by default.
Common Cause of Inaccuracy
The most common cause of inaccurate distance readings is that the units are set incorrectly to either meters or yards. If your local course measures distance in metric, but your watch is set to yards, the distance will consistently be off.
Setting Golf Distance
NOTE: Settings will vary between models. For details on how to access the golf menu on your watch refer to the owner's manual.
These watches have a distance unit setting for golf separate from the general distance unit setting. Refer to the steps found in
Setting Golf Distance
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D2™ Mach 1 | D2™ Mach 1 Pro
Descent™ G1 | Descent™ G1 Solar | Descent™ G1 Solar - Ocean Edition
quatix® 7 - Standard Edition | quatix® 7 - Sapphire Edition | quatix® 7X - Solar Edition
quatix® 7 Pro
tactix® 7 - AMOLED | tactix® 7 Standard Edition | tactix® 7 Pro Edition | tactix® 7 Pro Ballistics
tactix® 8 - AMOLED | tactix® 8 - Solar
tactix® Delta Sapphire Edition | tactix® Delta Solar Edition | tactix® Delta Solar Edition with Ballistics
Venu® 3 | Venu® 3S
Venu® Sq 2 | Venu® Sq 2 Music
vívoactive® 5
vívoactive® 6
Watches That Do Not Support Golf Distance:
These watches only have a general distance unit setting. The units will need to be set to miles for the golf distances to display in yards. If the distance units are set to kilometers, the golf distances will display in meters. The steps for changing the distance unit settings will vary by watch.
D2™ Watches
D2 Air
Press and hold the bottom button.
Select .
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
D2 Bravo
Hold UP.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
D2 Charlie
Hold MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
D2 Delta | D2 Delta PX | D2 Delta S
Hold MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
Descent Mk1 Watch
Hold MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
fēnix® Watches
fēnix 3 | fēnix 3 HR | fēnix 3 Sapphire
Hold UP.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
fēnix 5 | fēnix 5S | fēnix 5X | fēnix 5S Plus | fēnix 5 Plus | fēnix 5X Plus
Hold MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
Forerunner 935 Watch
Hold UP/MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
Lily® 2 Active Watch
Hold the bottom button.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Format.
Select Units.
Select Metric or Statute.
quatix® Watches
quatix 3
Hold UP.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
quatix 5
Hold MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
tactix® Watches
tactix Bravo
Hold UP.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
tactix Charlie
Hold MENU.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
Venu® Watches
NOTE: The Venu® 3 and Venu® 3S have golf distances.
Press and hold the bottom button.
Select .
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
vívo® Watches
Captain Marvel | First Avenger | Rey™ | Darth Vader™
Press and hold the bottom button.
Select .
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
vívoactive
Press Action Key.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
vívoactive HR
Hold .
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
vívoactive 3 | vívoactive 3 Music | vívoactive 3 (Verizon)
Hold the touchscreen.
Select Settings.
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
vívoactive 4 | vívoactive 4S
Press and hold the bottom button.
Select .
Select System.
Select Units.
Select Distance.
Select Miles or Kilometers.
Other Possible Causes of Inaccuracy
Watch does not have a clear view of the sky for a strong satellite lock.
CourseView map version or watch software needs to be updated. To update your software and maps, use the Garmin Express™ program.
Pin placement was manually moved away from the center of green.
PlaysLike Distance feature is enabled. For tips on how to use or disable PlaysLike Distance on your watch, see the owner's manual.
Golf Course Remodels
Some inaccuracies can be the result of golf course remodeling and other situations where our Garmin® course database will be in need of an update. Fill out a Golf Course Report Form to help notify us about an upcoming or needed update or if yardage inaccuracies exist with a specific hole or course under the following conditions:
Present on one or more holes but not the entire course.
Occurs with one course but not others.
As with any consumer grade product GPS inaccuracies will exist. Therefore, a yardage discrepancy of 5 yards or less is more than acceptable and would not be considered an issue.
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