Garmin Introduces Approach J1, the First-Ever Golf Watch Built Just for Juniors
Garmin just built its first golf watch exclusively for kids—and it might be the smartest junior golf product yet. The new Approach J1 delivers real GPS performance in a lightweight, wrist-friendly design that helps juniors learn, improve, and have more fun.
Here’s a new product that I think is really cool.
Garmin, the undisputed golf watch leaders, just announced their first-ever watch designed specifically for junior golfers. With the Approach J1, Garmin is letting the kids in on all of this awesome golf GPS technology they’ve been developing.
And honestly, it’s about time.
Junior golf is booming. More kids are playing competitively than ever before. Youth participation has surged.
And you know what that means? A generation of parents and grandparents who are looking for gift ideas for their golf-obsessed kids. I think the J1 may do very well for that exact reason.
Most golf technology isn’t designed with juniors in mind. Adult golf watches are often too big or packed with features that might not interest kids. Plus, GPS handhelds and rangefinders are easy to lose and not necessarily always the best option to turn loose with a junior.
But now, kids can get accurate yardages, simple navigation, and a watch that actually fits their wrists. Plus they get the coolness factor of owning a real piece of golf tech, even one they can wear 24/7.
Here’s everything we know about Garmin’s game-changing entry into junior golf technology.
What is the Garmin Approach J1?
The new J1 is Garmin’s first golf GPS watch designed for junior golfers. It combines Garmin’s proven GPS accuracy and course database with a build and feature set tailored to younger players.
The J1 is specifically designed with a slim, lightweight profile and a ComfortFit fabric band that fits smaller wrists without interfering with a junior’s golf swing. And the fabric band uses an elastic hook-and-loop system instead of the traditional silicone bands found on adult models, making it easier for kids to adjust and ensuring it stays secure during play.
The watch comes in two color options: Cloud Blue aluminum bezel with Black/Azure fabric band, and Silver aluminum bezel with Lilac fabric band.
But beyond that, the new J1 incorporates some brand-new Garmin features designed specifically for kids. Things like:
- Celebratory animations that encourage success and improvement
- A pace-of-play timer that helps kids understand the importance of keeping up
- Tee-Off Guidance that helps kids understand where they should tee off for their abilities
- Club suggestions
- And even the ability to adjust par to match the golfer’s skill level so that the goals are realistic.
Other key Approach J1 Specs:
- Price: $299.99
- Display: 1.2” diameter, color touchscreen AMOLED
- Courses: 43,000-plus preloaded courses worldwide
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours in GPS mode, up to 10 days in watch mode
- Water Rating: 5 ATM
- Weight: 1 ounce
- Dimensions: 43 x 43 x 11.4 mm
- Band: ComfortFit fabric
When a Junior-Specific Golf Watch Makes Sense
Look, I’m not saying every kid needs a golf watch. But for kids who are serious enough about the game that they’re playing every chance they get and are all-in on golf, then hey, this does give them a chance to play better.
The problem with just handing down your old adult golf watch is the fit. Even if it can fasten properly around their smaller wrist, there’s a very good chance that the watch face or buttons are going to interfere with the back of their hand as their wrists hinge in the golf swing.
It’s pretty simple. Large watches aren’t designed for small wrists. And if you’ve seen many of today’s golf watches, they’re about as huge as today’s driver heads.
The J1 addresses this directly. At 1 ounce compared to the adult Garmin S44’s 1.5 ounces, and with a wrist range starting at 115mm (the S44 starts at 125mm), this watch is genuinely built for smaller arms.
Any old-school-rooted golf instructor would likely tell you that the best way to learn the game is on foot and by calculating your own yardages. That’s how you develop the innate sense of how far a shot is that helps when touch is eventually required.
But if your junior is already past that point, if they’re already playing a fairly sophisticated game, then a golf watch can open up a huge opportunity for improvement. It can teach them course management skills in a whole new way. And it most certainly can help them make the correct club decisions by taking any guesswork out of yardages.
Plus, let’s face it, golf parents (dads, I’m looking at you because it takes one to know one) are evangelists. We want our kids to love the game that we love. So why not spoil them a bit with something really cool. Their own golf watch is pretty big-time and likely to land very well in whatever the gift-giving situation.
Reviewing the Garmin Approach J1 Golf Watch Features
At last year’s PGA Show, with the announcement of the Approach S44, Garmin really raised their minimum standard to a fairly high level. All of the sudden, their newest entry-level watch included features like an AMOLED display that previously was reserved only for the higher-end models.
That same elevated standard comes into play with the J1. If this product had debuted a couple of years ago, it almost certainly would have been a bit more bare bones. But as Garmin continues to share more and more of its best golf features across its line of watches, the J1 is just one of the many beneficiaries.
So, what do the kids get with their J1?
Tee-Off Guidance
This is brand new to the J1 and it’s brilliant. The watch provides forward tee locations down the fairway on all 43,000-plus preloaded courses. Essentially, it scales every hole to the junior golfer’s ability by suggesting realistic targets based on their skill level.
Personal Par
Another new feature that I love. You can adjust par based on the junior’s skill level to help set realistic goals and build confidence.
Pace-of-Play Timer
This teaches younger golfers how much time it should take to play each hole. It’s a simple visual indicator that keeps the game moving at the recommended pace.
On-Watch Celebrations
The J1 includes celebratory animations that recognize improvement and encourage juniors as they play. Little touches like this make technology feel more engaging for kids rather than clinical and data-driven.
Simplified Interface
The display focuses on the most important information to make decisions easier. Less clutter, more clarity. Perfect for golfers still learning what information matters most.
Customizable Experience
Features focused on learning the game can be turned off as the golfer advances. The J1 can grow with your junior rather than becoming obsolete as they improve.
43,000-Plus Preloaded Courses Worldwide
Ready to take your kid on a golf trip? One thing for certain: The courses they’ll be playing are all already mapped out and preloaded on the Garmin J1. This watch gets the same comprehensive library that the adult Garmin golf watches get.
Front/Middle/Back Yardages
The most essential golf watch function. The J1 delivers accurate distances to the front, middle, and back of every green. This is the baseline feature that every golfer needs, and juniors are no exception.
AMOLED Display
I mean, I gotta say, your kid’s honestly gonna be a little spoiled. These Garmin screens are outrageously nice. But they’re also scratch-resistant, which could come in handy for whatever off-course adventures your kid might get into.
Simple Scorekeeping
Definitely a nice feature for a junior golfer, especially because they can sync all of this information to their Garmin account for a continuously updating database. That’s a great opportunity for them to start a bit of analysis on their games.
Hazard Distances
Nice to know how far it is to the bunker or water. The J1’s got all of that information for each hole.
Measures Shot Distance
The watch can track how far each shot travels, which is incredibly useful for juniors learning their distances with each club.
Club Suggestions
The J1 provides suggestions based on the clubs in the golfer’s bag. This helps juniors play quickly and confidently without second-guessing club selection.
Will the Garmin J1 Be the Most Popular Golf Gift of 2026?
Most J1 buyers won’t be junior golfers. It’s gonna be the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends shopping for gifts and hoping to fuel a kid’s love of the game.
Which makes the J1 likely a very common golf gift. Because really there’s nothing else like it. And shopping for kid golfers isn’t always easy. You run out of options fairly quickly. Once they’ve got the clubs, the bag, the shoes, a glove, and whatever clothes, most of the rest of the stuff in the golf stores and sites is geared towards adults.
So I think the Garmin J1 is cool because it’s something different, it’s something that’s geared directly towards growing the game, and it’s something that a lot of golf gift shoppers are going to see as obvious.
At $299.99, it’s a significant investment but not outrageous for a special occasion or holiday gift.
Is it for everyone? Of course not. But if you’ve got a little hardcore golfer on your hands, or you're hoping your junior catches the bug, the Garmin Approach J1 might be the best thing you buy this year.
About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen
Marc Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.