The Garmin Venu X1 is a Sneaky-Good Golf Watch.

Garmin’s made square watches before. But never like this.

The Venu X1 is the first time they’ve gone full flagship with a squared-off form factor. And it’s the closest thing to an Apple Watch I’ve ever tried from Garmin.

Just as importantly, the new Venu X1 is one of the best Garmin fitness watches I’ve ever worn. And one of the best golf watches, too. Not only that, but it’s got what is unquestionably Garmin’s best-ever screen.

There’s a lot to cover.

I’ve been wearing the Venu X1 for two weeks straight. On the course, on runs, while sleeping. In fact, while I thought I’d be done with it by now, it’s still on my wrist as of this writing.

But just because it’s (so far) been right for me doesn’t mean that it’s right for you. And it doesn’t mean there aren’t a few things I wish were different about the Venu X1.

So I’m going to break down how it stacks up to the Fenix 8, the S70, the Epix lineup, and yes, the Apple Watch.

Because while it’s easy to say this is Garmin’s “Apple Watch clone,” the reality is a little more nuanced.

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Garmin Goes Square

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: It’s a square watch.

So naturally, the Apple Watch comparisons come fast. And there definitely are some striking similarities to how these watches look, feel, and operate.

That said, the Venu X1 is still very much a Garmin.

You’re not getting the same level of Apple ecosystem integration or true smartwatch app support. But from a day-to-day usability standpoint, I’ve been genuinely impressed.

The two-inch screen looks fantastic. Much more on that as we go.

I like the feel a lot too. Coming off six months with the Fenix 8, the Venu X1 immediately felt lighter and slimmer. At just eight millimeters thick, it wears easy and disappears on the wrist.

One of the biggest differences between this and other Garmin watches is the button situation. The Fenix line has five. The S70 has three. The Venu X1 has just two.

That means you’ll rely a lot more on the touchscreen. And while I typically prefer the tactile control of physical buttons, this screen is bright, responsive, and surprisingly easy to get along with.

Mostly.

We’ll get into the exceptions later.

One of Garmin’s Best Golf Watches?

Let’s get to the golf because that’s where this thing really surprised me.

In short, the $799 Venu X1 delivers the same top-tier golf experience you get from Garmin’s flagship models. We’re talking full-color maps, fast PlaysLike calculations that factor in wind and slope, green contour heat maps (if you’ve got the $99/year Garmin Golf membership), and seamless compatibility with Garmin’s CT sensors.

Everything I’ve come to expect from the $1,000 Fenix 8 and the $700 S70 is all here.

So where does this fit in Garmin’s lineup?

Well, quite nicely. And also very stealthily. I think the Venu X1 might be one of the more sleeper watches Garmin’s ever made when we mix all of the golf, fitness, and smartwatch features together with the form factor and screen quality.

But it’s not for every golfer.

If you just want yardages, go for the S12.

Want something a bit more full-featured but still golf-specific? The S44 or S50 will do the trick.

If you want a purpose-built golf watch with every premium feature Garmin offers, that’s still the S70.

But if you’re looking for something a little more well-rounded and something that does golf exceptionally well while also feeling good to wear day-to-day, the Venu X1 might be a better fit than I expected.

And if you’re still confused by the 

On the Course — Gorgeous Screen, Minor Friction

Using the Venu X1 on the course has been mostly fantastic.

For starters, in each of the three rounds I’ve played with it, the watch has locked onto a satellite in under 10 seconds. That’s quicker than what I typically see with the Fenix 8, which can sometimes take a little longer to find its bearings.

Switching between actual and PlaysLike distances is seamless. The maps look outstanding. And the screen — seriously — it’s the best-looking display I’ve seen on a Garmin golf watch. The square form factor makes it feel even bigger, and I’ve had no trouble seeing anything, even in bright sun.

Now, if you’re coming from a Fenix or an Epix, it’ll take a minute to adjust because of that two-button layout on the Venu X1. But thanks to how bright and responsive the screen is, that’s mostly been fine.

There is one nagging thing. And it’s the same issue I’ve had with the Fenix 8. That’s hazard distances. Garmin changed how this works, and it hasn’t gotten any smoother.

Back on the Epix Gen 2, you’d just scroll through hazards with the buttons — quick, simple, done.

Now, you tap the hole, hit a little hazard icon, and then try to scroll through using tiny arrows in the corners. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. The screen just doesn’t always register your taps near the edge, and instead of cycling to the next hazard, it kicks you back to the main map.

It’s definitely frustrating, but I wouldn’t rate it a full-fledged dealbreaker.

Everything else has worked really well. Scorekeeping is great. The watch prompted me after every hole. Navigating hole views is easy. Tapping around to see layups or approaches works really well. And that large square screen just brings the whole experience together in a way that’s been really enjoyable.

Reliable Shot Tracking

Just like the Fenix 8 or S70, the Venu X1 handles game tracking out of the box. You don’t need CT10 sensors to get started, though using them does make it even more accurate.

Worth noting, this watch is not compatible with the newer (and less expensive) CT1 sensors from Garmin. Those are only compatible with Approach series watches.

Even without the sensors, you’re still getting useful data. After each shot, the watch recognizes your swing and automatically starts tracking your distance based on how far you walk to the ball. A distance tracker will pop up showing you how far you are from your last shot.

On the Fenix 8, that’s a feature I’ve had mixed results with lately. It worked great at launch, but more recently after an update, not as much. With the Venu X1, it’s been solid, which is nice to see.

Perfect Garmin Z30 Pairing

If you’re using the Venu X1 with Garmin’s Z30 rangefinder, this duo is next level. Pairing is wonderfully simple. I turned on the Z30, opened the watch settings, tapped “pair rangefinder,” and that was it. Synced instantly.

What happens after that is genuinely awesome. I’ve talked about this before with the Z30 and other Garmin watches, but the experience was especially impressive using the beautiful screen on the Venu X1.

You shoot the pin with the Z30, and it updates your watch in real time. The watch shows a live pin position on the green. So as you move up the hole, you’re still getting exact distances — not just to front/middle/back, but to the actual flag you shot earlier.

This is the only system I’ve seen that does anything like that. It’s really cool. And like I said, the Venu X1 and Z30 pairing works especially well.

Garmin Golf Membership

If you have other Garmin golf devices, then you may have the $99/year Garmin golf membership.

If you do, then the Venu X1 will give you updated green maps which will show you the speed and breaks of all greens. I don’t know that I’d personally get the membership just for that, but it’s a nice added bonus.

What the Venu X1 Does Really Well

If you’ve used a higher-end Garmin before — something like the Fenix 8, the S70, or one of the Epix models — the golf experience here will feel instantly familiar. Same interface. Same features. Same level of detail. No real surprises.

You don’t get the 18-hole bezel you see on the S70, which gives you a quick glance at how you’ve played each hole with color-coded scores. That’s a nice detail, and I do like it, but it’s not a must-have for most people.

The real standout advantages of the Venu X1 come down to two things: the screen and the form factor.

The display is the best I’ve seen on a Garmin. Bright, sharp, and super readable, even in direct sun. And the square shape somehow makes the screen feel even bigger than it is, which is great when you’re staring at maps or yardages mid-round.

And then there’s the size. It’s thin. Like, forget-it’s-on-your-wrist thin.

Also, if you’ve ever worn an Apple Watch during a round and accidentally triggered that side button during a swing, you know how annoying that can be. The X1 avoids that completely.

For me, the included nylon strap is more comfortable than the stock rubber bands on the S70 or Fenix 8. That said, it’s fabric, so if you wear it in the shower, you’re walking around with a damp wrist for a bit. Just something to note.

All told, this is the best-looking Garmin watch to date, and that visual appeal is really the big standout win with this watch.

Where It Falls Short

No watch is perfect, and the Venu X1 does have its trade-offs.

The biggest one is probably the buttons. Or really, the lack of them. If you’re used to the five-button layout of the Fenix line or even the three-button setup on the S70, this will feel like a step back.

You lose some tactile precision. The touchscreen is responsive and works well most of the time, but there’s still something reassuring about clicking your way through menus.

Then there’s battery life. To get this slim profile, something had to give. It still lasts way longer than an Apple Watch, and it charges fast. But compared to a Fenix or even an S70, you’ll be topping it off more often.

So, is it one of the best Garmin golf watches? Without question. But it’s not for everyone.

If you want that big, beautiful screen, love the slim, square form, and don’t mind a touchscreen-first interface, this is the one to get.

If you value physical buttons, round watch faces, marathon battery life, or those niche golf visuals like the S70’s 18-hole bezel, you’ve got options that might fit better.

Living with the Venu X1

Outside of golf, this thing has genuinely surprised me.

The default watch face is my favorite on any Garmin to date. 

And the screen, as I’ve said several times, is just so easy to read. It’s also simple to customize. And it’s responsive enough that I haven’t missed physical buttons nearly as much as I thought I would.

Then there’s the flashlight.

Did I expect to love this feature? Not even a little. But now that it’s here, I use it regularly. It’s just so useful. You hold the bottom button and boom — light. Not quite as bright as the Fenix series, but absolutely good enough for most situations.

And honestly, this watch is just overall more like the Fenix 8 than I expected.

It’s got the same heart rate sensor. And nearly the same suite of activity options.

The only real things missing are EKG functionality (which I’ve never used) and multiband GPS (which I rarely turn on anyway because of how fast it kills the battery).

So for me, I’m getting almost everything I loved about the Fenix 8, but in a sleeker body, with a better screen, for $300 to $400 less.

The Sapphire Fenix 8 I’ve been wearing is a $1,100-$1,200 watch. The Venu X1 is $799. Still pricey, no doubt. But for something I wear 24/7 — to track workouts, sleep, monitor health, play golf, and generally run my day — it actually feels like a fair value.

Yeah, if you’re the kind of person who needs EKG or multiband GPS or wants to squeeze every drop of battery life, this might not be your match.

But if you want the Garmin experience in its most wearable day-to-day package yet? This might be the one.

Final Thoughts: The Dark Horse

I really thought this would be a two-week test. Put the Venu X1 through its paces, then go back to wearing my Fenix 8.

But now that I’ve gotten into the rhythm (remembering to take it off before a shower) and gotten used to the UI, I’m not so sure I’m going back.

The nylon strap is so comfortable. The touchscreen is way better than I expected. It’s actually fun to use — more so than the touchscreens on other Garmin models I’ve tried.

This watch kind of sneaks up on you.

It doesn’t get the same hype as a Fenix or an Epix have, but for a lot of people, it’s going to be the smarter, better choice. It’s still expensive, yeah. But not as expensive. And for the right user, that tradeoff is going to feel like a win.

And while I didn’t do a full breakdown of every feature, here’s one last thing I don’t want to forget: This is easily the most comfortable Garmin I’ve ever slept in. Like, by far.

Sleep tracking is excellent. And unlike the Apple Watch, I don’t have to sacrifice overnight wear to keep it charged. I can go a few days without plugging in, which makes using it for recovery and readiness data actually feasible.

So, while I can’t go so far as to just offer a blanket recommendation for every shopper, for me and my use cases, the Venu X1 is my current preferred golf watch.

Got questions I didn’t cover? Drop a comment. I’ll do my best to get you an answer.

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Garmin’s new square watch delivers flagship golf features and a stunning screen.

9.3 Phenomenal

The Venu X1 surprised me. It's got nearly every premium golf feature from Garmin's flagship models, wrapped in a sleek, lightweight body with their best-ever screen. If you're OK trading a few buttons and some battery life, this dark horse candidate might be right for you.

The Good

1. Garmin's most beautiful screen to date
2. Ultra-thin, lightweight, square form factor feels great for golf
3. Includes all flagship Garmin golf features
4. Z30 pairing is magical for pin tracking and real-time data
5. Nylon strap is more comfortable than most included Garmin bands

The Bad

1. Touchscreen still has some minor hazard-navigation quirks
2. Battery life isn't as strong as the Fenix 8 or S70
3. Fewer physical buttons mean more reliance on touchscreen
4. No 18-hole visual bezel like the S70

• Presentation 9
• Performance 9
• Quality and Features 9
• Personal Affinity 10