New Garmin Approach S4 Golf GPS Is The Ultimate In Golf Smart Watch Technology - Great Golf Deals.com Blog

Building on the success of the Garmin S2 and S3 golf GPS line, the new Garmin Approach S4 takes golf gps watch technology to the next level. The new Approach S4 has a high-res touchscreen display that is sunlight readable and offers a dedicated Green View button. It boasts a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can last for up to 10 hours in golf mode. The S4 comes preloaded with more than 30,000 international courses with free lifetime course updates, so there are no additional fees or subscriptions.

But what makes the S4 unique in a crowded market of golf gps devices is the S4's use of Bluetooth to provide wireless notifications pulled from a connected iPhone. So even though your mobile device is buried in your golf bag, you'll still be able to receive text messages, call notifications, and truncated emails while you're on the course or at the 19th hole.

“The Approach S4 is the natural evolution of wearable golf technology,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “The hi-res touchscreen display makes it easier than ever for golfers to stay on top of their game, and the Smart Notification functionality allows them to stay connected while on the course. Plus, the extended battery life allows for a full weekend of golf on one charge. The Approach S4 will give golfers a competitive edge on the course, but the sleek form factor and smart watch technology makes it appropriate for everyday wear.”

Garmin Approach S4 Golf GPS Watch Features:

Touchscreen GPS golf watch with sunlight readable, high-resolution display

Extra-long life battery lasts up to 10 hours in GPS mode, 6 weeks in watch mode

Preloaded with more than 30,000 international courses with no subscriptions or fees

Precise distance to the front, back and middle of greens plus layups and doglegs

Detailed Stat tracking on the device for better analysis of your game

Smart Notification allows you to receive email, texts and alerts on your watch

Instant, Simple, Precise
Rugged and waterproof to 10 meters, the Approach S4 golf watch is packed with more than 30,000 international courses. It displays yardages to the front, back and middle of greens on a high-resolution, glove-friendly touchscreen. And, it lets you manually position pins, get distances to doglegs and layups, customize yardage points (mark traps and hazards), and print digital scorecards for Stroke Play and Stableford.

Dedicated Green View Button
S4 features a dedicated Green View button, which takes you to the Green View screen in 1 push, no more scrolling through the menu. Green View gives you the true shape from wherever you are on the course, even if you’re behind it.

Touch and Move the Pin
Green View shows you the true shape and layout of the green even if you are behind it. On that screen, you can use the touchscreen to manually move the pin to the day’s location. This is especially helpful on par 3s where you’ll be able to dial in the distance you need to fire away with confidence.

Smart Notification
Never miss another text, email or RSS alert just because your smartphone is in the cart (or deep in your bag). S4 acts as a wireless extension of your iPhone® device, displaying whatever your phone does, right on your watch. Now you can read that email or text you’ve been waiting for wirelessly — even in the middle of the fairway.

Longer Battery Life
S4 features more battery life for longer play or more rounds. Get up to 10 hours in full GPS and 6 weeks in watch mode before the lithium-ion battery needs to be recharged.

Preloaded Courses and Free Updates
The S4 may be the size of a typical sports watch, but we've preloaded it with more than 30,000 international courses — without extra fees or paid subscriptions. In addition, you'll be able to download free course updates whenever they become available.

Customize Distances
Approach S4 gives you distances to the front, back and center of the green, as well as distances to doglegs. It also allows you to input and save customizable yardage points — such as water hazards or bunkers — from anywhere on the course.

Keep Score and See How Far
S4 has digital scorecard options for individual players. Scoring options include Stroke Play and Stableford, and you can save, review, share and print scorecards from your computer. Plus, when you hit a big one you can see how far it went with the Measure Shot feature.

Everyday Watch with Style
The S4 functions as an everyday watch, with an odometer to see how far you walk. A round timer also is included to keep track of how long it takes you to play 18 holes. It's available in 2 colors: black or white.

The new Garmin Approach S4 will be available the end of the month in both white or black colors.  You can pre-order one now and receive free 2-day air as soon as the item is in stock.

New Mizuno MP-54 Irons Offer The Best Combination of Forgiveness and Shot Making Ability

If you are like most golfers you probably started off playing golf with a set of game improvement "cast" irons which were great when you were learning but as you progressed and your handicap dropped to the single digits then what do you do?

That was the question Mizuno's designers and engineers asked themselves. Their answer: the new MP-54 irons, the follow-up to Mizuno's MP-53 set.

"Over the past several years, Mizuno's MP iron category has expanded to a point where consumers expect a 'player' iron look and feel with the forgiveness of today's technologically advanced equipment," said Vice President of Product Management Chuck Couch of the challenge Mizuno faced.

The MP-54s are created for better players – those with handicaps from scratch up to about 12 – who want a bit more forgiveness than classic blades provide. At various stages of development and testing, Mizuno staff players including Luke Donald, Charles Howell III and Jonathan Byrd provided their feedback.

What makes them unique is the ''Milled Step Muscle'' in the 3-iron through 7-iron. As is the case with many Mizuno clubs, each MP-54 is forged from mild carbon steel, and the 3- through 7-irons feature a thick muscleback with a 4-millimeter-wide slot.

This Milled Step Muscle allowed the engineers to reposition the removed weight around the head's perimeter, which increases stability on off-center hits. It also creates a deeper center of gravity for more forgiveness and a higher ball flight, all while maintaining the necessary heft behind the ball to deliver a solid impact.

The scoring irons – 8-iron down through pitching wedge – don't have the slot. Instead, they feature Mizuno's Solid Muscle Design – essentially, a solid clubhead, thicker in its bottom half, to improve playability. Those attributes also are enhanced by a perimeter grind on both the heel and toe, and the clubs feature Harmonic Impact Technology (H.I.T.), in which Mizuno's engineers tune the clubhead design to maximize feel and feedback.

By comparison, Mizuno says the MP-54 clubheads will be about the same size as the MP-53s, but will offer a more heavily beveled sole for cleaner turf interaction. And, of course, the cavity cut into the MP-54s gives them a lower center of gravity than the MP-53s.

The MP-54s are available now in both right-handed and left-handed models, and will carry a suggested retail price of $999.99. They come outfitted with True Temper Dynamic Gold S300 shafts and Golf Pride M-31 58 round grips, though a variety of custom shafts and grips also are available. Custom set make-ups also can be assembled from in mixed or combo sets or with MP-H4 long irons.