Sports
Dial in all parts of your game with new Approach S70 premium golf smartwatches from Garmin
If golf is your world, the Approach S70 is your watch; available in two sizes with vibrant AMOLED displays and enhanced golf analytics
OLATHE, Kan. /PRNewswire/ — Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the Approach® S70 series, its newest flagship golf smartwatches, available in two different sizes and packed with on-the-course tools and fitness features to help build a better all-around game. Super-bright and easy to read, even in the sunlight, both smartwatches feature stunning AMOLED touchscreen displays so it’s easier than ever to play one of the over 43,000 preloaded golf courses from around the world.
From the driving range to the final putt, the Approach S70 series covers golfers of all skill levels. The improved virtual caddie tool shows shot dispersion data and suggests a club based on a variety of factors, including historical swing data, elevation, wind speed, wind direction and more1. Both watches also include an enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature with an all-new, built-in barometer to give players a more accurate reading of how each shot is playing.
Golfers will be able to play more rounds without needing to charge thanks to the Approach S70 series’ extended battery life. The Approach S70 can hold a charge for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours when using GPS.
“The Approach S70 series is designed for customers who want all the tools to improve their game on the course – and all the health monitoring, activity tracking and connected features for their life off the course. Available in two sizes, now golfers can pick the watch that’s right for them without sacrificing functionality.”
– Dan Bartel, Garmin Vice President of Global Consumer Sales
Check out how the Approach S70 series can improve your next round here.
We’ve got your game
Whether a seasoned veteran of the links or new to the sport, golfers of all ages and skill levels will appreciate the on-course features of the Approach S70 series:
- Comprehensive CourseView maps: See every hole in elaborate detail on 43,000+ preloaded courses, with the ability to pan and zoom to know the lay of the land.
- Improved Virtual Caddie: View shot dispersion data and receive more accurate club suggestions based on a variety of factors, including historical swing data, elevation, wind and more.
- Enhanced PlaysLike Distance: See an analytical estimate of how a shot will play based on an uphill or downhill lie, wind, temperature, and air pressure.
- Green Contour Data2: Plan the best approach shot and putt by seeing the green’s slope direction and severity on select courses when connected to an active Garmin Golf™ membership (starting at $9.99/month).
- AutoShot round analyzer: Pair with Approach CT10 club tracking sensors for more automatic game-tracking capabilities, including detecting putts and chips.
- Scorekeeper: Track round score hole-by-hole, and upload to the Garmin Golf app for stat tracking and handicap calculation.
Innovative features to improve performance
With a new Approach S70 on their wrist, golfers can improve flexibility and overall fitness with preloaded activity profiles for strength, HIIT, yoga, running and more. With Garmin’s full suite of 24/7 health monitoring features, customers have the tools they need to better understand their overall well-being, so they can not only have the potential to hit the ball farther but can also help prevent injuries. Thanks to wrist-based heart rate, Heart Rate Variability status, Body Battery™ energy monitoring, advanced sleep monitoring and more3, the Approach S70 series can help golfers perform their best on and off the course.
The Approach S70 series can also help golfers stay in peak physical shape with customized training plans from Garmin Coach, while they can create their own workout regimen utilizing more than 1,600 individual exercises via the Garmin Connect™ app. Golfers can also track their fitness age to estimate whether their body is training and responding to workouts younger or older than their actual age.
Sophisticated style for every occasion
Designed to wear both on and off the links, the Approach S70 smartwatches combine a lightweight, stylish design with high-quality materials, including a ceramic bezel with a scratch-resistant lens on a 1.2″ or 1.4″ AMOLED display. The lightweight yet stylish design is perfect for wrists of all sizes and won’t alter a golf swing. What’s more, golfers will always be dressed for the part with the Approach S70’s accent color ring between the bezel and watch case that can’t help but draw attention.
Easy-to-use connected features
Not only does the Approach S70 give golfers the tools that can help them succeed on the course, but it includes many features for life away from the links:
- Smart notifications: Receive text messages and view social media updates, emails and more when the watch is paired with a compatible smartphone.
- Garmin Pay™: Pay for refreshments in the clubhouse or anywhere Garmin Pay is accepted with the contactless payment solution through participating banks.
- Music: When paired with wireless headphones, listen to music or podcasts directly from your wrist4 after downloading from Spotify, Amazon Music or Deezer.
- Connect IQ™ app integration: Download different watch faces and enjoy other third-party apps when paired to a compatible smartphone.
Available now, the Approach S70 series has a suggested retail price starting at $649.99. To learn more, visit garmin.com/golf.
Engineered on the inside for life on the outside, Garmin outdoor recreation products have revolutionized life for adventurers, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. Committed to developing products that enhance experiences and enrich lives, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate and a chance to beat yesterday. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garmingolf on social, or follow our blog.1 When paired with a compatible smartphone. 2 Requires an active Garmin Golf membership. 3 This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. 4 Requires a premium subscription with a third-party music provider
About Garmin: Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN) is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Approach are registered trademarks and Body Battery, Garmin Golf, Garmin Pay, Garmin Connect and Connect IQ are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0001-411180). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/company/investors/earnings/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.
Author
Senior Pickleball Report
Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion Starts in Roseville; Sleeves SPR Has Full Details
West Coast pickleball players could see more indoor options soon as Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion becomes statewide. The first club opens in Roseville with 11 indoor courts.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Pickleball Kingdom, which calls itself the world’s largest indoor pickleball entity, announced a landmark agreement to develop locations across California, with multi-unit franchisees Parminder and Komal Saini leading the statewide expansion.
Pickleball Kingdom’s California Expansion
The company said demand is rising across the Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire, and that future clubs are expected to include professional-grade indoor courts, coaching and clinics for all skill levels, youth development programs, leagues and tournaments, a pro shop, and social areas.
The first California location is set to open in Roseville with grand opening activities the weekend of March 28. The club will feature 11 professional-grade indoor courts across approximately 32,900 square feet at 10251 Fairway Drive, Roseville, CA 95678.
For more context on the announcement and what the rollout could mean for California players, Sleeves Senior Pickleball Report published a full write-up here: https://sleeves-spr.com/pickleball-kingdom-announces-major-california-expansion-first-club-opens-in-roseville/Pickleball Kingdom also said it is seeking additional franchise partners in California. More information is available at https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://stmdailynews.com/sleeves-senior-pickleball-report/
Sports
Sports Facilities Companies Acquires RCI Sports Management
The Sports Facilities Companies has acquired RCI Sports Management, enhancing its national presence and services in sports tourism and venue operations. This acquisition adds properties in Texas and Kansas, focusing on improving facility performance and revenue generation through integrated marketing and standardized systems, reflecting a trend in consolidating sports facility services.
The Sports Facilities Companies has acquired Texas-based RCI Sports Management, a move that expands its national footprint while strengthening its position in sports tourism, venue operations, and economic impact services for municipalities and private owners.
The deal adds RCI-managed properties in Texas and Kansas to the SF Network, including The Refinery Fieldhouse in Garden City, Amarillo Netplex in Amarillo, and Travis Fields at Midtown Park in Bryan. Together, the facilities broaden SFC’s reach in mid-market communities where youth sports, tournaments, and event programming are increasingly tied to hotel stays, visitor spending, and local business activity.
SFC said the acquisition will help accelerate facility performance through integrated marketing, sponsorship sales, standardized operating systems, and expanded event and tourism pipelines. That makes this more than a management deal — it reflects the continued consolidation of sports facility services as operators look to scale revenue generation, improve efficiency, and deliver stronger returns for public and private partners.
Related Links
Source
Source: The Sports Facilities Companies via PR Newswire
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Sports
The U.S. Army Names Soldier-Athletes Headed to the 2026 Winter Games in Italy
The U.S. Army says nine WCAP Soldier-athletes and coaches will compete at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy in bobsled, biathlon, Nordic combined and figure skating—showcasing elite fitness, discipline and performance.
The U.S. Army is sending a new group of Soldier-athletes to one of the biggest stages in international sports.
In a Jan. 29, 2026 announcement, the Army said nine Soldier-athletes and coaches will represent the United States at the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, with two additional Soldiers traveling as alternates. The group will compete across bobsled, biathlon, Nordic combined, and pairs figure skating—sports that demand equal parts endurance, precision, and mental toughness.
Who’s representing the Army at the 2026 Winter Games
According to the release, the Army’s lineup of Soldier-athletes and coaches includes:
Competing and coaching in Italy
- Lt. Col. Chris Fogt (Bobsled Head Coach)
- Lt. Col. Garrett Hines (Bobsled Coach)
- Sgt. 1st Class Shauna Rohbock (Bobsled Coach)
- Sgt. Frank Del Duca (Bobsled)
- Spc. Azaria Hill (Bobsled)
- Staff Sgt. Deedra Irwin (Biathlon)
- Spc. Sean Doherty (Biathlon)
- Sgt. Ben Loomis (Nordic Combined)
- Pvt. Spencer Howe (Pairs Figure Skating)
Alternates
- Cpl. Hakeem Abdul-Saboor (Bobsled Alternate)
- Spc. Dana Kellogg (Luge Doubles Alternate)
Soldier first, athlete always
The Army emphasized that WCAP athletes remain full-time Soldiers while training and competing at the elite level. Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, the Army’s Chief Marketing Officer, said the same traits built through military service—discipline, mental agility, teamwork, and readiness—translate directly into high-level athletic performance.
“Even when competing at the highest level, these athletes are U.S. Army Soldiers first,” Braman said in the release, adding that they’re trained to be “tactically and technically proficient” and prepared to perform in any environment.
What is the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP)?
The Soldier-athletes train and serve through the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which supports top-ranked Soldiers competing at the international level. WCAP provides coaching, facilities, and training resources while ensuring Soldiers maintain their readiness and complete mandatory Army requirements.
While WCAP was officially established in 1997, the Army says it has been training Soldier-athletes for more than 75 years. Over that span, the Army has sent more than 600 Soldier-athletes to compete on the world stage, earning more than 120 medals across summer and winter sports.
Italy adds a layer of Army history
This year’s Winter Games location also carries historical meaning for the Army. The release points to World War II, when the 10th Mountain Division—an elite unit trained for mountain warfare—climbed Riva Ridge in northern Italy in a mission that helped shift momentum in the war.
After returning home, many Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division helped build the foundation of the American ski industry by establishing ski resorts and ski schools across the U.S.—a legacy that still shows up in winter sports culture today.
Braman called the upcoming Games “a unique moment” to honor both the Army’s history in alpine terrain and its long-standing presence in elite athletics.
What to Watch For
- Biathlon conditioning: How Soldier-athletes balance endurance output with shooting precision under fatigue.
- Bobsled power and speed: Starts win races—watch for explosive sprint mechanics and teamwork on push phases.
- Nordic combined workload: One of the toughest mixes in sport; look for training insights on strength-to-weight and aerobic capacity.
- Recovery and readiness: How WCAP athletes manage sleep, mobility, and injury prevention while staying Soldier-ready.
- Italy’s alpine backdrop: The region’s mountain history adds context—and pressure—for performance in cold, high-demand environments.
Learn more
For more information about the U.S. Army and opportunities like WCAP, the release directs readers to GoArmy.com, including GoArmy.com/world-class-athlete-program.
Source: U.S. Army (PRNewswire), Jan. 29, 2026
Related External Links
- U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) – Overview of how Soldier-athletes train and compete at the elite level.
- GoArmy.com – Learn more about U.S. Army opportunities and careers.
- Team USA – Athlete news, sport profiles, and updates across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.
- Olympics.com – Official Winter Games coverage, schedules, and sport explainers.
- International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) – Rules, rankings, and event info for Nordic disciplines, including Nordic combined.
- International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) – Bobsled and skeleton sport info, events, and athlete resources.
- International Biathlon Union (IBU) – Biathlon news, event calendars, and performance insights.
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