Garmin Redefines the Game for New Zealand Golfers

Garmin is helping New Zealanders make the most of their golfing game with the launch of the Approach series, a range of dedicated golf GPS devices. Building on Garmin’s class leading GPS technology and design, the Approach series gives golfers a competitive advantage with detailed course mapping and statistics tracking at their fingertips.

Providing the next step in GPS evolution from Garmin, the Approach range has been built on a history of navigation engineering experience across a range of GPS applications. The rugged and robust design of the Approach G6 and G3 has been inspired by Garmin’s Edge 800 and Dakota range of fitness and outdoor handheld GPS devices, while the Approach S3 and S1 incorporate hardware from Garmin’s Forerunner range of fitness watches. The different form factors and interfaces of this series mean that golf enthusiasts will be sure to find a unit to fit their golfing lifestyle.

“The Approach series has been designed to help New Zealanders make the most of every hole they play, both locally and globally,” said Ian Edwards, National Sales Manager, Garmin Australasia. “Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned professional, Garmin will help you tee off with confidence, while also keeping track of all your stats to measure your performance on the green.”

At the top of the range is the Approach G6, designed for passionate golfers looking to take their game all over the world. Whether you’re headed to Scotland to play a round on one of the sport’s oldest courses, or to the United States to tee off at Pebble Beach, Garmin offers 27,000 courses worldwide pre-loaded on the Approach G6. With free course updates and new maps added on an ongoing basis, Garmin ensures golfers will never miss their mark.

Loaded with features, the Approach G6 helps you nail the shot every single time with layups drawn on the map, while also keeping track of the number of fairways you’ve hit, greens in regulation and putts per round. With a slim form factor and weighing less than 100 grams, it fits easily into your shirt pocket without slowing down your game. A glove-friendly colour touchscreen and sunlight readable display means golfers can be sure their targets will always be in sight. The internal rechargeable battery lasts up to 15 hours, which means you can play for a full weekend without having to cut your golfing short to recharge the device.

The Approach S3 is Garmin’s first touchscreen GPS golf watch, offering golfers a wealth of information at their fingertips. Like the G6, it includes map data for more than 27,000 courses worldwide, with free updates throughout the year. The new touchscreen display of the Approach S3 makes it even easier to access course and game information, and with an eight hour battery life, users can be assured of a full day’s play in one charge.  When users select the watch mode, the device will last for up to four weeks as a day to day time piece. It is also available in both black and white, allowing users to choose the style most suited to their golfing gear.

Weighing less than 60 grams, The Approach S3 features a high-resolution sunlight readable display with bright numbering, meaning that even in changing light conditions throughout the golfing day, you’ll always know where and how far from the hole you are. It even offers layup distances.  Golfers can add custom points on the watch that they want to measure or zero in on hazards or obstacles that may affect the perfect shot.

For those who prefer to keep their game on home turf, the Approach G3 offers maps for more than 1,000 golf courses across New Zealand and Australia. Weighing in at just under 150 grams, the Approach G3 takes two standard AA batteries which will power the device for up to 15 hours. If you’re on the course simply turn the unit on and you’re ready to tee off, or alternatively you can search for your local course.

The Approach G3 is an affordable choice offering many advanced features also found on the high-end Approach G6. With intuitive touchscreen technology, you can tap anywhere on screen for a precise distance to a landing area, fairway, hazards and greens. Manual pin positioning gives you a precise distance by letting you zoom into a view of the green and then tap and drag a flag icon to any location. The Approach G3 also doubles as a digital scorecard for up to four players, allowing you to save and review your scores later.

Garmin’s entry-level Approach S1 has been designed for golfers who prioritise ease of use in their golfing equipment. Like the Approach S3, it features a waterproof monochrome LCD display and rechargeable battery lasting up to eight hours. Weighing just over 50 grams, the lightweight and flexible design ensures golfers can enjoy a range of features without being weighed down on the fairway. Incorporating all the course data of the Approach G3, it also doubles as a sports watch, featuring a built-in odometer to track how far you travel both on and off the green.

The Approach G6, G3, and S1 are available now with a recommended retail price of $449, $349, and $249 respectively. The Approach S3 will be available in May 2012, with a recommended retail price of $499.

For more information about Garmin and its other products and services, go to www.garmin.co.nz , www.garmin.blogs.com and http://twitter.com/garmin.