Garmin Approach S42 GPS Golf Smartwatch User Manual

Garmin Approach S42 GPS Golf Smartwatch

Device Overview

1. Touchscreen: Swipe to scroll through widgets, features, and menus.
   • Tap to select.
2. Button: Press to turn on the device.
   • Press to start a round of golf.
   • Press to return to the previous screen.
   • Press and hold to view watch settings or turn the device off.

Getting Started

When using your watch the first time, you should complete these tasks to set it up and get to know the basic features.

1. Press the button to turn on the watch (Turning On the Device, page 2).
2. Tap the touchscreen to select your preferred language and answer the device prompts.
3. Pair your smartphone (Pairing Your Smartphone, page 9). Pairing your smartphone gives you access to scorecard syncing, current weather data, and more.
4. Charge the device completely so that you have enough charge for a round of golf (Charging the Device, page 2).

Using the Watch Features

• From the watch face, swipe up to scroll through the widget loop. Your watch comes preloaded with widgets that provide at-a-glance information. More widgets are available when you pair your watch with a smartphone.
• From the watch face, press the button, and selectto start an activity or open an app.
• Press and hold the button to adjust settings or customize the watch face.

Turning On the Device

The first time you turn on the device, you are prompted to configure system settings.

1. Press the button.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Locking and Unlocking the Touchscreen

You can lock the touchscreen while playing a round to prevent inadvertent screen touches.

1. Hold the button.
2. Select Lock Screen.
3. Hold the button again to unlock the touchscreen.

Charging the Device

1. Plug the small end of the USB cable into the charging port on your device.
2. Plug the large end of the USB cable into a USB charging port.
3. Charge the device completely.

Product Updates

On your computer, install Garmin Express™ (www.garmin.com/express). On your smartphone, install the Garmin Golf™ app. This provides easy access to these services for Garmin® devices:

• Software updates
• Course updates
• Data uploads to Garmin Golf
• Product registration

Setting Up Garmin Express

1. Connect the device to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Go to garmin.com/express.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Playing Golf

1. Press the button.
2. Select Play Golf. The device locates satellites, calculates your location, and selects a course if there is only one course nearby.
3. If the course list appears, select a course from the list.
4. Selectto keep score.

Acquiring Satellite Signals

The device may need a clear view of the sky to acquire satellite signals. The time and date are set automatically based on the GPS position.

1. Go outdoors to an open area. The top of the device should be oriented toward the sky.
2. Wait while the device locates satellites. It may take 30–60 seconds to locate satellite signals.

Hole View

The device shows the current hole you are playing, and automatically transitions when you move to a new hole. If you are not on a hole (for example, at the clubhouse), the device defaults to hole 1. You can manually change the hole (Changing Holes, page 6).

1. Current hole number.
2. Par for the hole.
3. Hole indicator.
4. Map of the green.
   You can tap to move the pin location (Viewing the Green, page 6).
5. Distances to the front, middle, and back of the green.

Big Numbers Mode

You can change the size of the numbers on the whole view screen. Hold the button, and select Golf Settings > Big Numbers.

TIP: When using big numbers mode, you can press the button and select Hazards and Layups or Move Flag.

1. Current hole number.
2. Par for the hole.
3. Distance from the shot location.
4. Distance to the back of the green.
5. Distance to the middle of the green or selected pin position.
6. Distance to the front of the green.

Golf Menu

During a round, you can press the button to access additional features in the golf menu.

• Move Flag: Allows you to move the pin location to get a more precise distance measurement (Viewing the Green, page 6). Appears when big numbers mode is enabled.
• Hazards and Layups: Shows the hazards and layups for the current hole (Viewing Hazards, Layups, and Doglegs, page 5). Appears when big numbers mode is enabled.
• Change Hole: Allows you to manually change the hole (Changing Holes, page 6).
• Change Green: Allows you to change the green when more than one green is available for a hole (Changing the Green, page 6).
• Scorecard: Opens the scorecard for the round (Keeping Score, page 6).
• Round Info: Shows your score, statistics, and step information (Viewing Round Information, page 7).
• Last Shot: Shows the distance of your previous shot recorded with the Garmin AutoShot™ feature (Viewing Shot History, page 8). You can also manually record a shot (Adding a Shot Manually, page 8).
• Club Stats: Shows your statistics with each club (Viewing Club Statistics, page 9). Appears when you pair Approach CT10 sensors or enable the Club Prompt setting.
• Save Location: Allows you to save a location, such as an object or obstacle, for the current hole (Saving a Location, page 9).
• Sunrise & Sunset: Shows the sunrise, sunset, and twilight times for the current day.
• End Round: Ends the current round (Ending a Round, page 9).

Viewing Hazards, Layups, and Doglegs

You can view distances to hazards, layups, and doglegs along the fairway for par 4 and 5 holes. Hazards that affect shot selection are displayed individually or in groups to help you determine the distance to layup or carry.

Select an option:

• From the hole view screen, select ∨.
• When using big numbers mode, press the button and select Hazards and Layups.

1. The hazard type, layup, and distance, or dogleg and distance.
2. The distance to the layup, dogleg, or front and back of the hazard.
   NOTE: If your hazard has a single point, the distance to the center appears.
3. A half circle representing the green. The line below the green represents the center of the fairway. The colors indicate layup distances to the pin in meters or yards: red is 100, white is 150, blue is 200, and yellow is 250.
4. A letter signifying the order of the hazard, layup, or dogleg on the hole, is shown below the green in an approximate location relative to the fairway.
5. Arrows you can tap arrows to view other hazards, layups, or doglegs for the hole.

Viewing the Green

While playing a round, you can take a closer look at the green and move the pin location.

1. Tap the green.
2. Tap or dragto move the pin location.
3. Press the button to set the pin location.
   The distances on the hole view screen are updated to reflect the new pin location. The pin location is saved for only the current round.

Changing Holes

You can change holes manually from the hole view screen.

1. While playing golf, press the button.
2. Select Change Hole.
3. Select + or – .

Changing the Green

If you are playing a hole with more than one green, you can change the green.

1. While playing golf, press the button.
2. Select Change Green.
3. Select a green.

Keeping Score

1. While playing golf, press the button.
2. Select Scorecard.
   NOTE: If scoring is not enabled, you can select Start Scoring.
3. Select a hole.
4. Select – or + to set the score.

Setting the Scoring Method

You can change the method the device uses to keep score.

1. Hold the button.
2. Select Golf Settings > Scoring Method.
3. Select a scoring method.

About Stableford Scoring

When you select the Stableford scoring method (Setting the Scoring Method, page 6), points are awarded based on the number of strokes taken relative to par. At the end of a round, the highest score wins. The device awards points as specified by the United States Golf Association. The scorecard for a Stableford scored game shows points instead of strokes.

Setting Your Handicap

1. Hold the button.
2. Select Golf Settings > Handicap Scoring.
3. Select a handicap scoring option:
   • To enter the number of strokes that will be subtracted from your total score, select Local Handicap.
   • To enter the player’s handicap index and the course slope rating to calculate your course handicap, select Index/Slope.
4. Set your handicap.

Enabling Statistics Tracking

When you enable statistics tracking on the device, you can view your statistics for the current round (Viewing Round Information, page 7). You can compare rounds and track improvements using the Garmin Golf app.

1. Hold the button.
2. Select Golf Settings > Stat Tracking.

Recording Statistics

Before you can record statistics, you must enable statistics tracking (Enabling Statistics Tracking, page 7).

1. From the scorecard, select a hole.
2. Enter the total number of strokes taken, including putts, and select Next.
3. Set the number of putts taken, and select Next.
   NOTE: The number of putts taken is used for statistics tracking only and does not increase your score.
4. If necessary, select an option:
   NOTE: If you are on a par 3 hole or using Approach CT10 sensors, fairway information does not appear.
   • If your ball hit the fairway, select.
   • If your ball missed the fairway, select.
5. If necessary, enter the number of penalty strokes.

History

You can use your paired smartphone to upload scorecards to the Garmin Golf app. You can use the app to view saved rounds and player statistics.

Viewing Round Information

During a round, you can view your score, statistics, and step information.

1. Press the button.
2. Select Round Info.
3. Swipe up.

Measuring a Shot with Garmin AutoShot

Each time you take a shot along the fairway, the device records your shot distance so you can view it later (Viewing Shot History, page 8). Putts are not detected.

1. While playing golf, wear the device on your leading wrist for better shot detection. When the device detects a shot, your distance from the shot location appears in banner 1 at the top of the screen.
   TIP: You can tap the banner to hide it for 10 seconds.
2. Hit your next shot.
   The device records the distance of your last shot.

Viewing Garmin AutoShot in Big Numbers Mode

1. While playing golf, wear the device on your leading wrist for better shot detection. When the device detects a shot, your distance from the shot location is recorded.
2. Tap the arrow at the top of the screen to view the distance of your last shot.
3. Hit your next shot.

Adding a Shot Manually

You can manually add a shot if the device doesn’t detect it. You must add the shot from the location of the missed shot.

1. Press the button.
2. Select Last Shot > Add Shot.
3. Selectto start a new shot from your current location.

Viewing Shot History

1. After playing a hole, press the button.
2. Select Last Shot to view information for your last shot.
   NOTE: You can view distances for all shots detected during the current round. If needed, you can manually add a shot (Adding a Shot Manually, page 8).
3. Select View More to view information about each shot for a hole.

Viewing Club Statistics

During a round, you can view your club statistics, such as distance and accuracy information.

1. Press the button.
2. Select Club Stats.
3. Select a club.
4. Swipe up.

Saving a Location

While playing a round, you can save up to five locations on each hole. Saving a location is useful for recording objects or obstacles that are not shown on the map. You can view the distance to these locations from the layup and dogleg screen (Viewing Hazards, Layups, and Doglegs, page 5).

1. Stand in the location you want to save.
   NOTE: You cannot save a location that is far from the currently selected hole.
2. Press the button.
3. Select Save Location.
4. Select a label for the location.

Ending a Round

1. Press the button.
2. Select End Round.
3. Select an option:
   • To view your statistics and round information, tap your score.
   • To save the round and return to watch mode, select Save.
   • To edit your scorecard, select Edit Score.
   • To discard the round and return to watch mode, select Discard.
   • To pause the round and resume it at a later time, select Pause.

Connected Features

Connected features are available for your Approach device when you connect the device to a compatible smartphone using Bluetooth® technology. Some features require you to install the Garmin Connect™ app on the connected smartphone. Go to www.garmin.com/apps for more information.

• Phone notifications: Displays phone notifications and messages on your Approach device.
• Software Updates: Allows you to update your device software.
• Weather: Allows you to view current weather conditions and weather forecasts.
• Find my phone: Locates your lost smartphone that is paired with your Approach device and currently within range.
• Find my device: Locates your lost Approach device that is paired with your smartphone and currently within range.

Pairing Your Smartphone

To use the connected features of the Approach device, it must be paired directly through the Garmin Golf app, instead of from the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone.

1. From the app store on your smartphone, install and open the Garmin Golf app.
2. On your Approach device, hold the button to view the main menu.
3. Select Pair Phone.
4. From themenu in the app, select Garmin Devices > Add Device, and follow the instructions in the app to complete the pairing process.

Enabling Bluetooth Notifications

Before you can enable notifications, you must pair your smartphone to your watch (Pairing Your Smartphone, page 9).

1. Hold the button.
2. Select Phone > Notifications.
3. Select an option:
   1. To set preferences for notifications that appear during an activity, select During Activity.
   2. To set preferences for notifications that appear when in watch mode, select Not During Activity.
   3. To set the amount of time the alert for a new notification appears on the screen, select Timeout.

Viewing Notifications

1. From the watch face, swipe up to view the notifications widget.
2. Tap the widget to view more details.
3. Select a notification. You can tap the screen to view the full notification.
4. Swipe up to view the notification options.
5. Select an option:
   • To act on the notification, select an action, such as Dismiss or Reply.
     The available actions depend on the type of notification and your phone operating system. When you dismiss a notification on your phone or the Approach device, it no longer appears in the widget.
   • To return to the notification list, press the button.

Specifications

Troubleshooting

Maximizing Battery Life

You can do several things to extend the life of the battery.

• Reduce the backlight timeout (Backlight Settings, page 18).
• Reduce the backlight brightness (Backlight Settings, page 18).
• Turn off Bluetooth technology when you are not using connected features (Turning Off the Bluetooth Smartphone Connection, page 10).
• Limit the smartphone notifications the device displays (Managing Notifications, page 10).

My device cannot find nearby golf courses

If a course update is interrupted or canceled before it completes, your device may be missing course data. To repair missing course data, you must update the courses again.

1. Download and install course updates from the Garmin Express application (Updating the Software Using Garmin Express, page 12).
2. Safely disconnect your device.
3. Go outside, and start a test round of golf to verify the device finds nearby courses.

Is my smartphone compatible with my device?

The Approach device is compatible with smartphones using Bluetooth technology. Go to garmin.com/ble for compatibility information.

My phone will not connect to the device

If your phone will not connect to the device, you can try these tips.

• Turn off your smartphone and your device, and turn them back on again.
• Enable Bluetooth technology on your smartphone.
• Update the Garmin Golf app to the latest version.
• Remove your device from the Garmin Golf app and the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone to retry the pairing process.
• If you bought a new smartphone, remove your device from the Garmin Golf app on the smartphone you intend to stop using.
• Bring your smartphone within 10 m (33 ft.) of the device.
• On your smartphone, open the Garmin Golf app, select, and select Garmin Devices > Add Device to enter pairing mode.
• Hold the button, and select Pair Phone.

My device displays the wrong units of measure

• Verify you selected the correct units of measure setting on the device (System Settings, page 17).
• Verify you selected the correct units of measure setting on your Garmin Connect account. If the units of measure on the device do not match your Garmin Connect account, your device settings may be overwritten when you sync your device.

My device is in the wrong language

1. Hold the button.
2. Select SETTINGS.
3. Scroll down to the sixth item in the list, and select it.
4. Select your language.

Restarting Your Watch

1. Press and hold the button until the watch turns off.
2. Hold the button to turn on the watch.

Acquiring Satellite Signals

The device may need a clear view of the sky to acquire satellite signals. The time and date are set automatically based on the GPS position.
TIP: For more information about GPS, go to garmin.com/aboutGPS.

1. Go outdoors to an open area.
   The front of the device should be oriented toward the sky.
2. Wait while the device locates satellites.
   It may take 30–60 seconds to locate satellite signals.

Improving GPS Satellite Reception

• Frequently sync the device to your Garmin account:
  • Connect your device to a computer using the USB cable and the Garmin Express application.
  • Sync your device to the Garmin Golf app using your Bluetooth enabled smartphone.
    While connected to your Garmin account, the device downloads several days of satellite data, allowing it to quickly locate satellite signals.
• Take your device outside to an open area away from tall buildings and trees.
• Remain stationary for a few minutes.

Getting More Information

You can find more information about this product on the Garmin website.

• Go to support.garmin.com for additional manuals, articles, and software updates.
• Go to buy.garmin.com, or contact your Garmin dealer for information about optional accessories and replacement parts.

For more manuals by Garmin, visit ManualsLibraryy

Garmin Approach S42 GPS Golf Smartwatch-FAQs