Garmin Approach CT10 Review: Another Worthy Shot-Tracking System

Garmin is one of the leaders in premium GPS technology. Their lineup of golf watches is the best on the market in my opinion, particularly the Approach S60. Recently, they announced that they were entering the shot tracking market with their Approach CT10.
While this space has become crowded over the past few years with companies like GAME GOLF, Arccos
, and Shot Scope
– Garmin’s angle is that they have a system that is compatible with two of their bestselling watches. Recently I got a chance to test out the Approach CT10 with their S60 GPS watch on the course.
Whenever I evaluate a shot tracking product there are three areas that I believe are most important:
- Ease of use – does it interfere with your round, or integrate seamlessly?
- Accuracy – will it accurately detect your shots, or will you have to spend time editing mistakes afterward?
- Quality of data – are your stats presented intuitively, or are golfers left puzzled by the data?
I believe the CT10 performed well on all three of these criteria, and I’ll explore them in more detail in this review. Additionally, I’ll discuss whether or not it makes sense to purchase Garmin’s system based on your performance and budget needs.
Installation and Use
Like other shot tracker systems, the Garmin Approach CT10 require you to install trackers at the top of your grips.
They’re a little larger than the other systems I have used, but don’t add any noticeable weight to the golf club. When I first started using them, the club actually appeared a little longer, but after a short time, it was not very noticeable. Not every golfer will react the same to their size, but it is something you should know.

Pairing the sensors is a breeze with the S60 watch. Once you’re finished, all you have to do to get started with your round is turn your watch on and select the course you are going to play.
During the round, the system itself is very passive since it does not require manual tagging before each shot. When you pull your club out of your bag, it usually takes a few seconds for the watch to register what club you are using. Once it does, it will display your typical yardages as well as your tendencies off the tee (right or left). This info may be useful to you at the moment, but if it isn’t you can use your watch’s functionality as you usually would.
If you’re standing in the same spot and take practice swings, the sensor will determine which swing was the actual shot and only record it once. The only potential hiccups occur when you take out more than one club at once, which can happen several times a round. Sometimes it can recognize the wrong club, but this can be edited afterward.
The watch will automatically record your score, but I found tracking to be more accurate when you confirm your score (and total putts) at the end of each hole. Overall, I did not find the process too different than Shot Scope, which is another shot tracking system that does not require tagging.
Accuracy
Overall, I found the Garmin CT10 Approach to be very capable of tracking my shots. Once you are finished with your round, you upload it through the Garmin Golf app either via your phone or on your computer.
No matter what shot tracking system you are using, you should expect to spend 5-10 minutes reviewing your round afterward. I think this is a great exercise in general because it forces you to go through all of your shots and review what went well and what didn’t. On top of that, you are able to edit any small errors that might have occurred.
Here is an image of a top-level view of a round. You can edit scores and stats easily from this view:
I wouldn’t expect perfection out of the Garmin CT10, but in my testing, I did not see too many errors. There were a few instances where it recorded a shot that didn’t occur, the wrong club, or missing the score for a hole. It was very easy to edit any of these mistakes, and I would suggest doing them soon after your round so the information is fresh in your mind.
You have the option to view each hole in detail and make any necessary edits:
Compared to the Shot Scope V2
, I would say the Garmin CT10 was slightly prone to making more errors, but not by much. Tracking your game without having to manually tag shots is a much easier process overall, and I think both of these systems do a great job.
Quality of Performance Data
It should go without saying that you want a shot tracking system to be hassle-free on the golf course. However, I believe the most important feature is how the data is presented to the end user. The whole point of tracking your shots is to shed more light into your golf game and see where you can improve.
Garmin’s competitors do an excellent job of this. GAME GOLF, Shot Scope, and Arccos have built very robust online dashboards that are intuitive and provide a wealth of insight into your golf game.
Garmin has done a very good job in this area, but the system is more of a “top level” view of your game rather than a deep dive.
You’ll have to play several rounds before you start to see any meaningful insights, but I think Garmin does provide plenty of useful information. In fact, for golfers who are looking for simplified data, it might be more appropriate for you.
You’ll see a basic dashboard that shows you how you compare to golfers at a similar level in your driving, approach shots, wedge play, and putting. Additionally, you can get more information on each category.
For example, on tee shots, you can see your typical distances, how many fairways you are hitting, and your miss tendencies.
On approach shots, you can see how often you are hitting greens, and more importantly, where you are missing them.
Lastly, you’ll be given a similar view for your chip shots to see how often you are getting up and down for par.
I actually like how they present the putting performance by simplifying how many putts you are taking on short, medium, or longer putts (although I would like to define what those lengths are).
One major feature I think they are missing is displaying your average club distances. They present this information to you on the course, but I also believe it should be on the online dashboard.
Overall, I was very impressed with their stat-tracking portal. While it’s not as advanced as some of their competition, I don’t think most golfers need to go too crazy with analysis. Sometimes simple is good, and in this case, if that’s what you’re looking for I think you will be more than happy with the insights it provides.
Closing Thoughts
There are a few issues that you should be aware of in terms of budget. Since this system can only be used with a Garmin Approach S20 or Approach S60
watch, it bumps up the cost. Right now the CT10 retails for $299, and the S20 watch is around $200 while the S60 is usually priced at $399 or below. That brings the total cost up to well over $500.
Shot Scope V2 is the most comparable system since it provides a tag-free experience, a GPS watch, and sensors. Right now it only costs $249.
GAME GOLF sells their system for under $100, but it requires manual tagging before shots and does not offer GPS distance capabilities. Lastly, Arccos
charges $249 for their system but requires you to keep your phone in your pocket to accurately track GPS data.
I think the CT10 would be a tough sell for people who don’t currently own the S20 or S60 watches. Granted, they are excellent GPS watches, and in my opinion the best on the market right now, but you can’t ignore the overall cost.
If you currently own the compatible watches from Garmin, I think this stat-tracking system can be a big winner for you. If you’re in the market for a shot tracking system, it could be cost-prohibitive to entertain buying both the watch and tracking system combined based on your budget.
Overall, I think Garmin did a great job with their Approach CT10 shot tracking system. It’s easy to use, very accurate at tracking your shots and provides useful data insights for your golf game.
The ct10 club attachment is a bit fragile and insecure being a single plastic screw in the center of the sensor that goes into an existing hole at the end of the grip, or a hole you make yourself. I have had to retighten my sensors several times as they get pushed out a bit during use. What I’ve now done is to glue all of them in place using epoxy. This seems to be OK but I’ve not used the clubs much since. I’ll post another comment if I have problems. What the gluing also does do is make it easy to remove the battery as the sensor is now part of the club and there is something to hold onto when the black end of the sensor is turned anticlockwise – this is a bit tricky and requires some force and you must ensure that when replacing the black cap there is a final “click” at the end of the clockwise rotation. Changing grip? Not thought too much about that one which could be a bit tricky and I might draw the line at that possibility. So … what with the s60 and a full set of C10s this has been quite an investment. Will keep you posted after I have used the system for several months.
Time for an update Bob?
Hi, would also be interessted on an update.
Will these work with the garmin vivoactive3 watch
Does garmin ct10 works on s40 watch?
Not sure when this article was written? But the first comment is Jan 2019. Almost 3 years ago…. I have the Fenix 6 Sapphire. I have some CT10’s. They don’t work very well. Rarely does my watch pick up the signal. I purchased new batteries and still same issue. I even spoke with Garmin Tech Support and they didn’t say anything about incompatibility with the Fenix 6.
So for those asking about other Garmin devices with the CT10, I give it a MEH with the Fenix 6. Not worth buying. Your milage may vary.
Session started between Rowan and Andrew Tuby.Please give me a moment to look into your issue and I will be right with you.
Andrew Tuby:
Have paired all 14 clubs 4 of the sensors have stopped working. Have de-assigned all 14 sensors and reassigned all the sensors with the 4 still not being recognised. Please advise
Rowan:
Hello, thanks for contacting Garmin. You’re speaking to Rowan. In order to help you further, please can I grab your serial number? Please follow the FAQ How do I identify my Product Information? if you need assistance with finding this information.
Andrew Tuby:
I have the box in front of me which number do you want
Andrew Tuby:
Is it 5MC035354
Rowan:
Thats it thank you have you changed the batteries in the ones that are not working?
Andrew Tuby:
No as only had a week
Rowan:
Okay in this case I would advise changing the batteries as this may simply be a case of some of the sensors batteries being activated and draining between the time of manufacture to you receiving them
Andrew Tuby:
Sorry but that’s not something I am willing to do with a brand new purchase
Andrew Tuby:
Perhaps I am better off just asking for a full refund from the pro shop I purchased them from
Rowan:
I can look to provide you with some replacement batteries for the 4 faulty sensors however if you are not willing to change these I would advise returning to the retailer if within 30 days from purchase
Rowan:
This is an automated message, I haven’t heard from you in a while. Would you like to continue chatting?
Andrew Tuby:
Thanks will do , having been a proud owner of a Fenix 6 sapphire for a couple of years . I have to say my experience just . Will make me think twice about investing money in you brand in the future
Rowan:
Okay if you change your mind feel free to let us know so we can look to provide some replacement batteries
Rowan:
If there is nothing else I can help you with today I will close the chat, you will soon be sent a transcript of our conversation. I hope you have a great day!
Andrew Tuby:
Great I will post it on Facebook
I’ve just obtained a set of 14 CT10s. If I, for example, use my 8 iron for a bump and run onto the green, meaning the golf ball might only travel say 40 yards, am I right in presuming it will skew the average distance for my ‘full shot’ 8 iron shots. Or is there a way to tell the system to ignore that shot.
After the round, you can edit the shots. I added two “clubs” to my bag, a pitching wedge named “Chip/pitch” to assign to all chips & pitches and 6 iron called “Punchout” to assign to all CPG specials. Try removing the real club used for these two types of shots and replacing them with these specialty clubs to maintain accurate club averages on full shots.
#Elite