| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Type | Solar-charging golf GPS handheld |
| Series | Approach |
| Released | January 2025 |
| Price at launch | GBP 299.99 / USD 299.99 |
| Predecessor | First solar-charging handheld in the Approach line |
| Successor | Not yet announced. See Release Radar. |
| Part number | 010-02889-00 |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Golf features | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
Solar charging is the whole argument for the G20, and on a golf course it is a better fit than on a watch. The device sits face up on a cart magnet or a belt clip in open daylight for four hours, which is close to ideal charging conditions, and Garmin rates it as unlimited in continuous 75,000 lux sunlight. Even in poor light it runs 180 hours, which is 36 rounds, so a golfer playing weekly charges it twice a year.
The screen is the honest trade. It is a 240 by 320 monochrome transflective panel with large numerals, built to be read in bright sun rather than to draw a colour hole map, and the data it gives is yardage to the front, middle and back, layups, doglegs, hazards and Green View with a manual pin. Shot tracking comes from CT10 club sensors, wind arrives through the Garmin Golf app, and Range Relay brings a laser distance across from a paired Garmin rangefinder. At 100g in a 53 by 90mm body it lives on the cart or the hip, which suits the golfer who finds a watch screen too small to read at arm’s length.
Garmin Approach G20 Solar
Charges in daylight and shows big, clear yardages from the cart.
RRP $299.99
£274.98
- use code:
Get it nowOrder now – Garmin Approach G20 Solar Also sold direct byWhat’s new in the Approach G20 Solar
Hardware
- Solar charging, a first for a Garmin golf handheld
- Sunlight-readable 240 x 320 monochrome display with a large-number layout
- Built-in magnet for cart mounting, with a belt clip in the box
- USB-C charging
- IPX7 water rating in a 100g body
Software
- 43,000 preloaded courses with wireless updates through a paired phone
- Wind speed and direction with the Garmin Golf app
- Range Relay, taking laser distances from a paired Garmin rangefinder
- Find My Garmin through the Garmin Golf app
Specifications
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Size | 33 x 44mm (1.3 x 1.7 inch), 2.2 inch diagonal |
| Type | Sunlight-readable high-resolution monochrome |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 53 x 90 x 18mm |
| Weight | 100g |
| Mounting | Built-in cart magnet and included belt clip |
| Water rating | IPX7 |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| Sensors and positioning | |
| GPS | High-sensitivity receiver |
| Solar | Solar charging lens, rated at 75,000 lux for unlimited running |
| Connectivity and power | |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Interface | USB-C |
| Battery type | Internal rechargeable lithium-ion |
| Maps | 43,000 preloaded golf courses |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life |
|---|---|
| GPS, poor solar conditions | 180 hours, which Garmin gives as 36 rounds |
| GPS, direct sunlight | Unlimited in continuous 75,000 lux conditions |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Golf features
Feature explanations are covered in the relevant the5krunner Garmin features hub.
- 43,000 preloaded courses with automatic CourseView updates
- Yardages to the front, middle and back of the green, and to layups and doglegs
- Hazards and course targets
- Green View with manual pin position
- Shot distance measurement from anywhere on the course
- Digital scorecard with handicap scoring
- Stat tracking for strokes, putts, greens and fairways
- Approach CT10 automatic club tracking through accessories
- Wind speed and direction with the Garmin Golf app
- Range Relay with a paired Garmin laser rangefinder
- Round timer and odometer
- Tournament legal
- Find My Garmin through the Garmin Golf app
Garmin Approach G20 Solar
Charges in daylight and shows big, clear yardages from the cart.
RRP $299.99
£274.98
- use code:
Get it nowOrder now – Garmin Approach G20 Solar Also sold direct byQuick answers
When was the Garmin Approach G20 Solar released?
Garmin released the Approach G20 Solar in January 2025. The launch price was GBP 299.99 or USD 299.99.
How long does the Approach G20 Solar battery last?
Garmin rates Approach G20 Solar for 180 hours of GPS in poor solar conditions, which it gives as 36 rounds. In continuous 75,000 lux sunlight it runs indefinitely.
Is the Approach G20 Solar waterproof?
Approach G20 Solar has an IPX7 water rating.
How big is the Approach G20 Solar screen?
Approach G20 Solar has a 2.2 inch sunlight-readable monochrome display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.
How does the Approach G20 Solar mount?
Approach G20 Solar has a built-in cart magnet and comes with a belt clip. It weighs 100g and measures 53 x 90 x 18mm.
How many golf courses does the Approach G20 Solar have?
Approach G20 Solar has 43,000 preloaded golf courses, updated wirelessly through a paired phone. It gives yardages to the front, middle and back of the green, layups, doglegs and hazards.
Further reading
- Garmin Approach G82 specifications
- Garmin Approach G12 specifications
- Garmin watch specifications
- Release Radar: upcoming Garmin products
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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