TESTED: HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 PRO
One of the world’s best-selling smartwatches also happens to have some really nifty golf features.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Early time with the WATCH GT 2 Pro was primarily using it as a general smartwatch before testing the golf driving range capabilities.
I enjoyed seemingly endless time testing out the health aspects like heart rate and other workout modes, the connection to my phone proving itself a real plus having never worn a smartwatch before. The convenience was outstanding.
Once testing the driving range mode, it was nice to be able to get some instant, simple to understand feedback when hitting golf balls that can be a source of improvement for some golfers.
HOW IT PERFORMED: To briefly touch on the overall performance of the watch, excluding golf-specific elements, the convenience of having everything on my wrist was great.
So too were the tracking features like heart rate, stress and sleep that offered insight relevant to golf performance, like getting a good sleep before a round, while the heart rate and stress stats were very interesting to review after playing golf.
However, my primary focus was on the golf-specific application and also the benefits of the watch when actually out playing golf.
The driving range mode is fairly simple, it measures swing speed in metres per second (meaning a conversion was needed for me given I have always worked in MPH) and tempo. A backswing and downswing time and tempo ratio produced.
Swing speed measurements are a nice thing to have access to when working on your game, and while it is not measuring the clubhead speed, when looking at your speed from one session to another you can work out where your speed is at in a like-for-like comparison. And the end of session gives a number of swings, as well as fastest speed and average speed.
The tempo measurements of the WATCH GT 2 Pro were of greater value for me when using the range mode. Tempo has long been an inconsistency in my game and being able to monitor where it was when I hit too many balls too quickly, compared to taking things slower was a reminder to focus on my tempo. Each swing falls on a coloured line indicating good or poor tempo.
Having the ability to compare my tempo numbers on the course against the range, although the watch isn’t specifically designed for on course use in the golf mode, was also interesting.
On the course, the general connectivity of the watch was a really nice feature. Being able to get out on the course, put the phone in the bag while still being able to check calls, messages and emails make sneaking out of the office for a few holes much easier. And calls can be taken through the phone if necessary.
The watch is fairly large, so wearing it when hitting golf balls can be a bit of an adjustment, but after a short period of adjustment I was fairly comfortable.
The actual golf feature is fairly simple, but does give some interesting and valuable information, particularly for those relatively early in their golf journey, including animated swing examples.
This isn’t designed to rival the level of detail on offer through high end launch monitors, but the golf-specific feature is a nice addition for a golfer looking for a smartwatch. The addition of a GPS function on the course would be ideal, but if you are in the smartwatch market and hit plenty of range balls, the Huawei WATCH GT 2 Pro is worth consideration.