Getting StartedWARNINGSee the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information.When using the device the first time, complete these tasks.
Register your device (Registering Your Device, page 4).
Update your device software and courses (Updating Software and Courses, page 4).
Charge the device (Charging the Device, page 1).
Turn on the device (Turning on the Approach, page 1).
Start around (Playing Golf, page 1).
Charging the Device
WARNINGThis device contains a lithium-ion battery. See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the product box for product warnings and other important information.NOTICETo prevent corrosion, thoroughly dry the contacts and the surrounding area before charging or connecting to a computer.
Plug the USB cable into a USB port on your computer.
Align the charger posts with the contacts on the back of the device, and press the charger until it clicks.
Charge the device completely.
Turning on the Approach NOTE: The time of day and date are set automatically when you are outdoors. You can also set it manually (Setting the TimeManually, page 3).
Hold.
Go play a game of golf (Playing Golf, page 1).
Touchscreen Tips
The device touchscreen is different than most mobile devices.The touchscreen is designed so you can operate it with your fingertip or while wearing gloves. The touchscreen is optimized to prevent accidental touches while you play. NOTE: You must press firmly in order to select items and change pages. You should practice using the touchscreen before you play.
Tap the touchscreen to scroll through the pages.
Select > Lock Screen to lock the screen from the hole view, layup and dogleg, shot measurement, or odometer screen.
Tap the touchscreen and swipe left to exit power save mode or to unlock the screen.
Tap the touchscreen to confirm messages.
Tap the top and bottom of the touchscreen to scroll through menus.
Make each touchscreen selection a separate action.
Keys
1.
Select to turn on the backlight. Hold to turn the device on and off.
2.
Select to measure a shot.
3.
Select to open the menu for the current screen.
4.
Select to enter your score for the hole.
5.
Select to view the green.
6.
Select to return to the previous screen.
Icons
The battery is low.
An odometer is measuring distance and time.
The alarm is on.
Bluetooth is on.
Playing Golf
You cannot start playing golf until the device acquires satellite signals, which may take 30–60 seconds.
Select > Start Round.
Select a course from the list.
Hole ViewThe device shows the current hole you are playing, and automatically transitions when you move to a new hole.NOTE: By default, the device calculates the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. If you know the location of the pin, you can set it more precisely using Green View (Viewing the Green, page 2).
1
Current hole number.
2
Distance to the back of the green.
3
Distance to the middle of the green.
4
Distance to the front of the green.
5
Par for the hole.
Next hole.
Previous hole.
Viewing the Green
While playing a game, you can take a closer look at the green and move the pin location.
Begin playing a game (Playing Golf, page 1).
Select.
Drag to move the pin location.The distances on the hole view screen are updated to show the new pin location. The pin location is saved for only the current round.
Measuring a Shot
You can measure the distance of a shot at any time.
Select.
Walk to your ball.The distance automatically resets when you move to the next hole. You can hold to reset the distance at any time.
Viewing Layup and Dogleg Distances and Saved Locations
You can view a list of layup and dogleg distances for par 4 and 5 holes. Saved locations also appear on this list.From the hole view screen (Hole View, page 1), select the middle of the screen.NOTE: Distances and locations are removed from the list as you pass them.Keeping ScoreBefore you begin keeping score, you must start around (Playing Golf, page 1).
From the hole view screen (Hole View, page 1), select.
If necessary, select > Change Par to change par for the hole.
A – or +selector to set the score.Your total score is updated.
Hold to view a list of the scores for all holes.From this list, you can select any hole to change the score for that hole.
Setting the Scoring MethodYou can change the method the device uses to keep score.
Select an option:• If you are currently playing around, select > >Setup Scoring.• If you are not currently playing around, select > Setup> Scoring.
Select a scoring method.
About Stableford ScoringWhen you select the Stableford scoring method (Setting the Scoring Method, page 2), points are awarded based on the number of strokes taken relative to par. At the end of a round, the highest score wins. The device awards points as specified by the United States Golf Association.NOTE: The scorecard for a Stableford scored game shows points instead of strokes.
Points
Strokes Taken Relative to Par
0
2 or moreover
1
1 over
2
Par
3
1 under
4
2 under
5
3 under
Viewing Scorecards on a ComputerYou can view all saved scorecards on your computer.
Connect the device to a USB port on your computer using the charging cradle.
The device appears as a removable drive in My Computer on Windows® computers, and as a mounted volume on Mac® computers.
Open ScorecardViewer.html to view your scorecards.
Tracking Statistics
You can enable features for tracking your own statistics.
Select an option:• If you are currently playing around, select > > Stat Tracking.• If you are not currently playing around, select > Setup > Stat Tracking.
Select On.
Recording StatisticsBefore you can record statistics, you must enable statistics tracking.
From the hole view screen, select.
Select – or + set the number of strokes taken.Your total score is updated.
Select
Select – or + set the number of putts taken.
Select
Select an option:• If your ball hit the fairway, select.• If your ball missed the fairway, select.
Hold to view a list of the scores for all holes.
If necessary, select a hole to change the score for that hole.Your statistics are recorded on your scorecard (Viewing Scorecards on a Computer, page 2).
Saving a Location
While playing around, you can save up to five locations on each hole.
Stand in the location you want to save.NOTE: You cannot save a location that is far from the currently selected hole.
Select > Save Location.
Select a label for the location.
Using the Odometer
You can use the odometer to record the time and distance traveled. The odometer automatically starts and stops when you start or end-around, but you can also start and stop it manually.
Select > Odometer to view or start the odometer.
Select an option:• Select > Turn Off to stop the odometer.• Select > Reset to reset the time and distance to zero.
Phone Notifications
NOTE: Phone notifications require an Apple® iPhone® with Bluetooth® 4.0 wireless technology and iOS® 7 or later.When your phone receives messages, it sends notifications to your device.
Enabling Bluetooth Notifications
NOTE: Enabling Bluetooth notifications reduces battery life while in watch mode (Specifications, page 4).
Select > Setup > Bluetooth.
Select an option:• To enable notifications at all times, select On.• To enable notifications only while playing, select While Playing.
On your phone, enable Bluetooth wireless technology.When your device receives a notification, it displays a message.You can select the message to open the notification.
Viewing Notifications
Before you can view notifications, you must enable Bluetooth notifications.
Select > Notifications.
Select a notification.
Select or scroll through the contents of the notification.
TruSwing™
The TruSwing feature allows you to view swing metrics recorded from your TruSwing device. Go to www.garmin.com/golf to purchase a TruSwing device.TruSwing MetricsYou can view swing metrics on your Approach device, on Garmin Connect ™ , or on the Garmin Connect Mobile app. See the owner’s manual for your TruSwing device for more information.
Feature
Description
Requirements
Swing metrics on your Approach device only
The available metrics include your swing tempo, speed, club-path measurements, critical club angles, and more.
The TruSwing device must be paired with theApproach devise.
Swing metrics on your Approachdevice and on the GarminConnect Mobile app
The available metrics include your swing tempo, speed, club-path measurements, critical club angles, and more.
Both the TruSwing and Approach devices mustbe paired with the Garmin Connect Mobileapp on your smartphone.
Recording and Viewing TruSwing Metrics on Your Approach DeviceBefore you can view TruSwing settings on your Approach S4 device, you may need to update the software (Updating Software and Courses, page 4).
Verify your TruSwing device is securely mounted to your club.See the owner’s manual for your TruSwing device for more information.
Turn on your TruSwing device.
On your Approach S4 device, select > TruSwing.Your Approach S4 device pairs with the TruSwing device.
Select a club.
Hit a shot.
Your Approach S4 device displays swing measurements after each swing.You can tap the screen to scroll through the recorded swing metrics.
Changing Your Club
From the TruSwing screen, select > Change Club.
Select a club.
Changing Handedness
From the TruSwing screen, select > Handedness.
Select an option.
Disconnecting Your TruSwing DeviceFrom the TruSwing screen, select > End TruSwing.
Customizing Your Device
SettingsSelect > Setup to customize device settings and features.Tones: Turns audible tones on or off.Display: Sets the background color to black or white (Changing the Display Color, page 3).Scoring: Sets the scoring method (Setting the Scoring Method, page 2).Stat Tracking: Turns statistics tracking on or off (Tracking Statistics, page 2).Time: Sets the time to automatic or manual (Setting the Time Manually, page 3).Format: Sets the time format to 12- or 24-hour.Language: Sets the language.Units: Sets to measure distance in yards or meters.Setting the Time ManuallyBy default, the time is set automatically when the device acquires satellite signals.
Select > Setup > Time > Manual.
Select – and + to set the hour and minute.
Select AM or PM.
Setting the Alarm
Select > Alarm > Setup Alarm.
Select – and+set the hour and minute.
Select AM or PM.
Select Once, Daily, or Weekdays.
Changing the Display Color
You can change the background color on the device.
Select > Setup > Display.
Select an option:• Select White to display black text on a white background.• Select Black to display white text on a black background.
Appendix
Device Care
NOTICEAvoid extreme shock and harsh treatment, because it can degrade the life of the product.Avoid pressing the keys underwater.Do not use a sharp object to clean the device.Avoid chemical cleaners, solvents, and insect repellents that candamage plastic components and finishes.Thoroughly rinse the device with fresh water after exposure to chlorine, saltwater, sunscreen, cosmetics, alcohol, or otherharsh chemicals. Prolonged exposure to these substances can damage the case.Do not store the device where prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can occur, because it can cause permanent damage.
Cleaning the Device
Wipe the device using a cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution.
Wipe it dry.
Specifications
Battery type
Lithium-ion
Battery life
Watch only: 6 weeksWatch with Bluetooth notifications: 15 hours Playing golf: 10 hoursNOTE: The actual battery life of a fully charged battery depends on how much time you use GPS, the backlight, and power save mode. Exposure to extremely cold temperatures also reduces battery life.
Operating temperature range
From -4°F to 140°F (from -20°C to 60°C)
Charging temperature range
From 40°F to 104°F (from 5°C to 40°C)
Water resistance
32.8 ft. (10 m)NOTE: The device is not intended to be used while swimming.
Power SaveAfter a period of inactivity, the device goes into power save mode. The device displays the time and date but does not use GPS. The device will not enter power save mode if the odometer is on. You can select any button or tap the screen, then swipe left across the screen to exit power save mode.
BY USING THE DEVICE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT. PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY.Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“Garmin”) grant you a limited license to use the software embedded in this device (the “Software”) in the binary executable form in the normal operation of the product. Title, ownership rights, and intellectual property rights in and to the Software remain in Garmin and/or its third-party providers.You acknowledge that the Software is the property of Garmin and/or its third-party providers and is protected under the United States of America copyright laws and international copyright treaties. You further acknowledge that the structure, organization, and code of the Software, for which source code isn’t provided, are valuable trade secrets of Garmin and/or its third-party providers and that the Software in source code form remains a valuable trade secret of Garmin and/or its third-party providers. You agree not to decompile, disassemble, modify, reverse assemble, reverse engineer, or reduce to human-readable form the Software or any part thereof or create any derivative works based on the Software. You agree not to export or re-export the Software to any country in violation of the export control laws of the United States of America or the export control laws of any other applicable country.
Index
Aaccessories 4alarm 3Bbacklight 1battery, charging 1Bluetooth technology 3Ccharging 1cleaning the device 4clock 3courseplaying 1selecting 1customizing the device 3Ddeleting, user data 4the device, registration 4display settings 3dogleg 2Ggreen view, pin location 2Hhandedness 3Iicons 1Kkeys 1, 4Llayup 2locations 2saving 3Mmeasurements 3measuring a shot 2Nnotifications 3Ppin location, green view 2power save 4product registration 4Rregistering the device 4Ssaving, locations 3scorecard 2viewing 2scoring 2software license agreement 4specifications 4statistics 2swing analysis 3system settings 3Ttouchscreen 1troubleshooting 4Uupdatescourse maps 4software 4Wwater resistance 4support.garmin.com