I’ve owned the Garmin Approach G30 for over two years now. I picked mine up second-hand on eBay for £99, and at that price it felt like a gamble. It’s small, simple, and not as flashy as some of the bigger devices out there — but it quickly became one of the most useful bits of kit in my bag.
First Impressions
The first surprise was the size. These days, our touch screen devices are hugh. iPhones, Android phones, iPads, you name it they’re all huge. I thought the G30 would be fiddly and awkward — especially with my big hands and I half expected that I’d really struggle with the size of this device.
But from the first round, those worries disappeared. The 2.3-inch colour display is bright and easy to read, and the set-up couldn’t have been simpler. I logged into my Garmin account, ran a quick update, and it was ready to go with 40,000 preloaded courses worldwide.
On the Course
This little unit quickly proved its worth. Accuracy has always been excellent — usually within a yard or two of my Motocaddy GPS or course markers. I tend to clip it to my pencil bag so it’s always at hand walking to my ball.
Battery life is where it really shines. I’ve done multiple full rounds on one charge without worry. On a trip to the Algarve in 2024, it lasted me three rounds on a single charge. These days, when I use it for midweek nine-hole rounds, I only need to charge it every month or so.
Features & Usability
Despite its size, the G30 has plenty packed in:
- Full hole maps where you can touch where you would like your yardage to — I use this all the time to plot safe positions. This tells me how far to this position, and how far that position is from the hole – super!
- Front, middle, back yardages in “Big Numbers” mode — quick, clear and very easy to read on the fly.
- Hazard mapping that takes the guesswork out of clearing bunkers or water.
- Digital scorecard for up to four players. Perfect for bounce games; quick, automatic, and easy to manage.
Once the round is finished, you can sync the G30 with the Garmin Golf app. This gives you an overview of your performance — things like FIR (fairways in regulation), GIR (greens in regulation), and number of putts. It’s a neat way to spot trends in your game over time. If you’re playing solo, you can also share your scorecard straight to social media. I tend to do this, and it keeps me accountable — even when the round doesn’t go to plan.
The only small niggle is typing names into the scorecard — the on-screen keyboard is tiny, and with big hands I sometimes hit the wrong letter. For me this is a non issue, the device actually saves the names of up to 4 players. If you’re bounce games with the same few players regularly this is great and you never have to really worry about mis typing your pals name!
Durability
This thing is tougher than it looks. It’s been dropped on concrete getting out the car, bounced out of a buggy on holiday, and been through plenty of Scottish rain — and it still works perfectly. The rubber bezel around the edge seems to do its job.
I’ve only updated it once in two years. Unless your course goes through big layout changes, I don’t think it’s something you’ll need to worry about often.
Value
This is where the G30 splits opinion. At launch, the RRP was around £270, and even now some retailers still list it close to that. But the reality is you can regularly find deals in the £150–£200 range new, and under £120 second-hand from places like GolfClubs4Cash or eBay.
At £270, there are arguably better options out there. But at £100–£150, the G30 is fantastic value. For me, it’s been a brilliant, reliable GPS that delivers everything I need without fuss.
Price Comparison: Where to Buy
If you’re considering the Garmin Approach G30, here are some current UK prices worth a look:
- American Golf – £149.99 (new)
- Affordable Golf – £219 (new, often on offer)
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact and portable
- Very accurate GPS; hazards and lay-ups made simple
- Excellent battery life (multiple rounds per charge)
- Durable — shrugs off rain and drops
- Syncs with Garmin app for performance stats & score sharing
- Scorecard function is simple and reliable
Cons
- RRP is high compared to rivals
- Small screen can be fiddly for scorecard input
- Bigger units offer more detail on hand, if that’s what you want
Final Thoughts
The Garmin Approach G30 is small, simple, and surprisingly powerful. It’s not overloaded with features, but it delivers what you actually need: reliable yardages, hazard mapping, and brilliant battery life.
For me, it’s made course management easier and taken the guesswork out of shots. At around £100 second-hand, it’s a no-brainer. At full retail, you may want to look at bigger devices — but if you find one at the right price, you’ll be glad you did.
Rating: 4.5/5
My Story
I’m a 13-handicap golfer from Scotland, aiming to get down into single figures by this time next year. I had a 15-year break from golf and only started playing again about two years ago, so it’s been a bit of a journey.
I’ve also just started blogging while recovering from a medium-term injury that’s ended my season early. Writing about my experiences keeps me connected to the game and, hopefully, gives other golfers some useful insight along the way.
Over to you: What GPS device do you use on the course — handheld, watch, or built-in? Has it changed how you play?
The Rough Stuff 
Leave a comment