
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a multisport triathlon watch with a range of features, including real-time elevation data, improved battery life, and smart trainer control. However, it does not have a golf mode or downloadable maps. Users have expressed disappointment about the absence of golf features, especially since cheaper Garmin watches include them. Garmin has not indicated that they will add golf features to the Forerunner 255, and it appears to be a deliberate decision to differentiate their products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Golf mode | No |
| Downloadable maps | No |
| Triathlon watch | Yes |
| Running watch | Yes |
| Size options | 2 |
| Music options | Yes |
| Barometric altimeter | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No |
| Smart Trainer Control | Yes |
| Multi-Band mode | Yes |
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What You'll Learn

The Garmin Forerunner 255 does not have a golf mode
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a multisport triathlon watch that offers some of the most important metrics seen in top-end watches. It is a great choice for runners, cyclists, and swimmers. However, it does not have a golf mode.
While the Forerunner 255 offers a range of features for various sports, golf is notably absent. This may be a deal-breaker for those who are specifically looking for a golf-tracking watch. Garmin's Golf software is highly regarded and includes a database of thousands of courses worldwide. However, this feature has been left out of the Forerunner 255.
Some users have expressed disappointment and frustration with the absence of golf features in the Forerunner 255. Coming from other Garmin watches that offered golf tracking, they feel that this feature should have been included in the Forerunner 255 as well.
It is speculated that Garmin's decision to omit golf features from the Forerunner 255 could be a strategy to differentiate their products and push customers towards more expensive models, such as the Forerunner 945/955 or the Fenix series.
If you are specifically looking for a Garmin watch with golf features, the Forerunner 955 or the Instinct 2 are worth considering. These models offer golf mode and downloadable maps, providing a more comprehensive experience for golfers.
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The Garmin Instinct 2 has golf software and costs the same
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a great watch for runners, cyclists and swimmers. However, it does not have golf features. If you are looking for a Garmin watch that can help with your golf game, the Garmin Instinct 2 is a fantastic option. Not only does it have a golf app and menu, but it also has a range of features that will enhance your time on the course. The watch has a dedicated golf menu, which includes a variety of tools to improve your game. For example, you can view the distance to the front, middle and back of the green, as well as the location and distance to hazards. You can also use the scorecard feature to keep track of your score and the time, distance and steps travelled during your round. What's more, the Garmin Instinct 2 costs the same as the Forerunner 255, making it an excellent choice for golfers who want a feature-rich watch without breaking the bank.
The Garmin Instinct 2 is an ideal watch for golfers who want to improve their game. With its golf app and menu, you can access a range of features that will enhance your performance and overall experience on the course. One of the key benefits of the Instinct 2 is its ability to provide accurate distance measurements. The watch calculates the distance to the front, middle and back of the green, taking into account that pin locations change. This information can help you make more informed club selections and improve your strategy. Additionally, you can use the "Moving the Flag" feature to get a more precise distance measurement by manually moving the pin location.
Another advantage of the Garmin Instinct 2 is its hazard view feature. With this tool, you can press "UP" or "DOWN" to see the location and distance to layups, as well as the front and back of hazards. This feature can help you navigate the course more effectively and make strategic decisions to lower your score. The Instinct 2 also allows you to manually change the hole and record the time, distance and steps travelled during your round. These features provide valuable insights into your performance, helping you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
The Garmin Instinct 2 offers a seamless and enjoyable golfing experience. Its golf menu provides quick access to a variety of features, ensuring you have all the information you need right on your wrist. You can easily keep score, view your statistics with each club, and even measure the distance of your previous shots. The Instinct 2's golf capabilities, combined with its other health and fitness tracking features, make it an excellent choice for golfers who want a versatile and cost-effective watch. So, whether you're a casual golfer or a serious player looking to improve, the Garmin Instinct 2 is a great option that won't break the bank.
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The Venu SQ, a cheaper watch, has golf features
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a running and multisport watch. However, it does not have any golf features. This has been a source of frustration for some users, who feel that cheaper watches should not have more features than more expensive ones.
The Venu SQ, a cheaper watch than the Forerunner 255, does have golf features. It has over 20 preloaded sports apps, including golf. The watch will keep track of your score, and you can download your courses onto the watch. The Venu SQ has a bright colour display and combines daily style and on-device music storage with health monitoring and fitness features. The battery life is up to 6 days in smartwatch mode and up to 14 hours in GPS mode.
The Venu SQ has received mixed reviews. Some users like the look of the watch and find it comfortable to wear, even though they feel that the screen could be more scratch-resistant. Other reviewers have noted that the Venu SQ is not as accurate or advanced as the golf-specific Garmin S60 watch, but it is still within 5 yards of it in terms of accuracy. The Venu SQ also has a shorter battery life than some other watches, such as the Fenix 5 or 6.
Overall, the Venu SQ is a good option for golfers looking for a quality multisport watch with golf features. It has a bright display, health and fitness monitoring features, and a decent battery life. While it may not be as advanced as some other golf watches, it is still a good choice for those who want a stylish and comfortable watch with golf capabilities.
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The Forerunner 255 is a multisport triathlon watch
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a multisport triathlon watch. It offers some of the most important metrics seen in top-end watches, such as the Garmin Fenix 7. However, it does not have a golf mode or downloadable maps. If you want those, consider the Forerunner 955 instead.
The Forerunner 255 does have a barometric altimeter, which means it will record your elevation data when you are out on an activity and display it in real time during your activity in the data field. It also has Native Running Power, which means that, when using a Running Dynamics Pod or HRM-Pro (sold separately), you can receive real-time metrics of how much power is being exerted on a run, built into the watch—no app required.
The watch is available in two sizes: the Forerunner 255S, with a 41mm diameter casing, and the Forerunner 255, with a 46mm diameter casing. Each is available as a standard or "Music" variant, which adds 4GB of storage and support for Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music downloads. The battery life of the Forerunner 255S is up to 12 days in smartwatch mode. An hour of GPS use takes 4% from the battery in the default All Systems GPS mode, while music playback is the real battery killer, with stamina rated at just five hours for sessions with music and GPS in its Multi-Band mode.
The Forerunner 255 is a great choice for cyclists, as it has Smart Trainer Control, which was missing in the Forerunner 245. This lets the watch connect to bike turbo trainers and control their resistance. It is also a good option for hikers, as it has a breadcrumb trail that shows where you've been—a blank line with a compass indicator to help hikers avoid getting lost.
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The Forerunner 255 does not have a touchscreen
The Garmin Forerunner 255 is a multisport watch with several features, including multiband GPS support, a barometric altimeter, and improved sleep tracking. However, it does not have a touchscreen.
While the absence of a touchscreen may be a disappointment to some users, it is important to note that the Forerunner 255 offers a range of other features that make it a valuable option for those interested in fitness tracking. For example, the watch provides in-depth sleep tracking, which has been praised by users as a significant upgrade over previous models.
In addition to sleep tracking, the Forerunner 255 also offers a Morning Report feature, which provides users with a daily overview of their fitness and helps them create workout plans through Garmin Coach. This feature allows users to connect their daily suggested workouts to calendar events, such as an upcoming race, and the app can automatically generate workouts tailored to that distance.
The Forerunner 255 also comes in two sizes, 42mm and 46mm, offering a more versatile fit for a range of wrist sizes. The larger size, in particular, has been noted to not appear too big or bulky on the wrist.
While the Forerunner 255 may not have a touchscreen, its combination of GPS accuracy, sleep tracking capabilities, and customizable workout plans makes it a powerful tool for runners and triathletes seeking to improve their fitness and track their progress.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Forerunner 255 does not have a golf mode.
It seems that Garmin has chosen to differentiate its products by including golf software in some watches and not others.
Yes, the Venu SQ, Forerunner 955, and Instinct 2 all have golf features.
The Forerunner 255 has Smart Trainer Control, which lets the watch connect to bike turbo trainers and control their resistance.






































