Callaway 300 Pro Golf Laser Rangefinder Review
The Callaway 300 Pro is a 6X golf laser rangefinder with an external slope switch and a 5 to 1,000 yard range. It suits golfers who want a simple slope laser with a cart magnet and a hard case.
On this page (16 sections)
- The Callaway 300 Pro at a glance
- How the Callaway 300 Pro measures and locks on
- What the 300-yard flag-lock distance means
- How slope works with the external switch
- Slope, the switch and the Rules of Golf
- What comes in the Callaway 300 Pro box
- The Magnahold cart magnet
- Setting up the 300 Pro before the first round
- Who the Callaway golf rangefinder suits best
- Who should skip the Callaway 300 Pro
- A quick checklist before you order the 300 Pro
- How the flag lock compares with the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift
- How the 300 Pro compares with the REDTIGER
- Battery and warranty before you order
- How we scored the Callaway 300 Pro
- Verdict: the Callaway golf rangefinder for a simple slope laser
The Callaway 300 Pro is a golf laser rangefinder with 6X magnification, a 5 to 1,000 yard range and an external slope switch. It's a straightforward slope laser for golfers who want a cart magnet and a hard case in the box.
We compared its specs with the other slope lasers on this site. This review covers how it measures, what's in the box, who it suits and who should skip it.
The Callaway 300 Pro at a glance
The 300 Pro is a 6X slope laser that reads 5 to 1,000 yards in a 4 by 2.7 by 1.4 inch body. Here are the specs in one place.
| Spec | Callaway 300 Pro |
|---|---|
| Range | 5 to 1,000 yd |
| Magnification | 6X |
| Accuracy | Within 1 yd, per Callaway |
| Flag lock | Up to 300 yd, with a Pulse vibration |
| Slope | Slope-adjusted distance, external on/off switch |
| Units | Yards or meters |
| Size | 4 x 2.7 x 1.4 in |
| Cart mount | Magnahold integrated magnet |
| In the box | Hard case, lens cloth, quick start guide, battery (US units) |
How the Callaway 300 Pro measures and locks on
The 300 Pro reads from 5 to 1,000 yards and adds a slope-adjusted distance when slope is on. Callaway says the accuracy is within 1 yard.
Callaway's flag lock is Pin Acquisition Technology, or P.A.T. A short vibrating burst called Pulse confirms the distance.
The unit reads in yards or meters, so it works on courses that post meters. For the aiming steps, see our step-by-step guide to using a golf rangefinder.
What the 300-yard flag-lock distance means
Callaway's flag lock works on the pin up to 300 yards away, which covers any approach shot. The 1,000-yard maximum is for larger targets like a hill, a tree line or a far bunker.
A flagstick is a thin target, so the laser has less to read from it than from a tree. That's why the flag-lock distance is shorter than the maximum range.
Hold the unit steady, aim at the flagstick and wait for the Pulse buzz. If you feel it, the number is for the pin.
If you don't feel it, aim again. A trunk or a bunker face behind the flag can pull the reading if the lock doesn't settle.
How slope works with the external switch
The 300 Pro measures the angle of the incline or decline, then calculates a slope-adjusted distance. An external on/off switch lets you turn slope off without opening a menu.
Slope helps most on hilly courses, where a straight-line number can mislead. Our explainer on what slope is on a golf rangefinder covers the idea from the start.
If you're still deciding whether you want slope at all, slope vs no slope lays out the trade-off.
Slope, the switch and the Rules of Golf
The Rules of Golf allow distance-measuring devices by default, and a committee can ban them with a local rule. Slope readings aren't allowed in a round unless the committee permits them.
An external switch makes slope easy to turn off, but the committee decides what applies at your event. Check the local rule before a round that counts, and see the USGA for the Rules of Golf.
What comes in the Callaway 300 Pro box
The box holds the rangefinder, a premium molded hard case, a lens cloth and a quick start guide. Callaway says units sold in the US also come with a battery.
The case has a carabiner and an elastic quick-close band. The carabiner clips to a bag, and the band closes the case fast.
The Magnahold cart magnet
The Magnahold mount is an integrated magnet that holds the 300 Pro to a cart frame, so there's no bracket to buy. At 4 by 2.7 by 1.4 inches, the unit sits easily on a bar.
A magnet only grips metal, so it won't stick to a plastic rail. If you carry your bag instead of riding, a steel landing pad on the bag gives the magnet a place to stick.
Our guide to attaching a rangefinder to a golf bag or cart covers the other options.
Setting up the 300 Pro before the first round
Set the slope switch, seat the battery and wipe the lens before the first round. The three steps take about a minute.
Set the switch before you reach the first tee. A slope reading you didn't expect can throw off a club choice.
Use the lens cloth from the box instead of a shirt, and keep the unit in its hard case between holes if the day turns wet.
Who the Callaway golf rangefinder suits best
The 300 Pro suits golfers who want slope they can switch off, a cart magnet and a hard case, without GPS maps. It's a good match for players who want the laser and don't need course data.
Why the Callaway golf rangefinder suits walkers
Walkers can carry the unit in its hard case, clipped to a bag strap with the carabiner. The elastic quick-close band lets you open the case fast between shots.
Walkers who want the smallest body should look at Bushnell's A1-Slope, which Bushnell describes as pocket-size.
What the cart magnet means for cart golfers
The magnet holds the unit to a cart frame, so it stays within reach between shots. Cart golfers who ride all day may value that quick access more than a smaller body.
Who should skip the Callaway 300 Pro
Skip the 300 Pro if you want course maps, front, center and back yardages or more than 1,000 yards. It's a laser, so it reads the target you aim at and doesn't show hole layouts.
If you want maps on the same device, our guide to golf rangefinders with GPS explains when a hybrid makes sense. If you'd rather charge a unit than buy cells, the REDTIGER charges over USB-C.
A quick checklist before you order the 300 Pro
Five questions settle most of the decision. Each one points to a feature the 300 Pro either has or doesn't.
- Do you want slope you can switch off? The external switch does that without a menu.
- Is 1,000 yards enough? The flag lock works to 300 yards, so it covers approach shots with room to spare.
- Do you ride a cart? The Magnahold magnet needs a metal frame to grip.
- Do you walk with a bag? A steel landing pad on the bag cuff gives the magnet a place to stick.
- Would you rather charge than replace a battery? The REDTIGER charges over USB-C, and the 300 Pro runs on a lithium battery.
How the flag lock compares with the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift
Both units confirm a lock with a vibration, but Bushnell adds a flashing red ring. Callaway's cue is a short vibrating burst, so you have to feel for it.
The V6 Shift also reaches 1,300 yards to the 300 Pro's 1,000. Both have 6X magnification and an external slope switch.
Our Bushnell Tour V6 Shift review covers that unit in full.
How the 300 Pro compares with the REDTIGER
The REDTIGER is the rechargeable alternative with 7X magnification. The 300 Pro answers with an external switch and a hard case.
The REDTIGER also adds a hand rope and a magnetic belt clip in the box. Our REDTIGER golf rangefinder review covers its modes, box and range question.
If you're comparing lower-cost lasers, our budget rangefinder picks cover that group. For value across brands, see best golf rangefinders for the money, and for slope units side by side, see best golf rangefinders with slope.
Battery and warranty before you order
Callaway says units sold in the US come with a battery included, and it describes the battery as lithium. Callaway doesn't name the cell size, so read the label inside the battery door before you buy a spare.
Callaway points buyers to its own website for warranty terms rather than stating a length.
How we scored the Callaway 300 Pro
Our score weighs specs and features against what slope-laser shoppers want. The 300 Pro earns 8.0 for its external switch, flag lock, cart magnet and hard case.
It gives up points for a shorter range than the top Bushnell units, an unnamed battery size and no course maps.
Callaway 300 Pro Golf Laser Rangefinder
- External slope on/off switch
- 6X magnification and a 5 to 1,000 yd range
- Pin Acquisition Technology with a Pulse vibration
- Magnahold cart magnet and a hard carry case
A simple slope laser with an external switch, a cart magnet and a hard case. Its 1,000-yard range is shorter than Bushnell's 1,300-yard units.
Pros
- External switch turns slope off without a menu
- Hard case with a carabiner and a quick-close band
- Measures in yards or meters
- Integrated magnet for a cart frame
Cons
- Range stops at 1,000 yd, short of Bushnell's Tour V6 Shift
- Callaway doesn't name the battery cell size
- A laser only, so no course maps
Verdict: the Callaway golf rangefinder for a simple slope laser
Pick the Callaway 300 Pro if you want an external slope switch, a cart magnet and a hard case in one unit. Pick the REDTIGER if you want USB-C charging and 7X magnification.
Pick a Bushnell unit if you need 1,300 yards or a red flag-lock ring. If you're still choosing between types, our golf rangefinder buying guide sorts them out.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Callaway 300 Pro have slope?
Yes, it measures the incline or decline and calculates a slope-adjusted distance, and an external switch turns slope on or off. Whether slope is allowed in a round depends on the committee, so check the local rule before a round that counts.
How far can the Callaway 300 Pro measure?
Callaway gives a range of 5 to 1,000 yards with 6X magnification, and the unit reads in yards or meters. Its flag lock works up to 300 yards away, and a short vibrating pulse confirms the distance, so you know the laser found the pin.
Does the Callaway 300 Pro come with a battery?
Callaway says units sold in the US come with a battery included, and it describes the battery as lithium. Callaway doesn't name the cell size, so read the label inside the battery door before you buy a spare to keep in your bag.
What comes in the Callaway 300 Pro box?
The box holds the rangefinder, a premium molded hard case, a lens cloth and a quick start guide. The case has a carabiner and an elastic quick-close band, so you can clip it to a bag and open it fast.
Is the Callaway 300 Pro a good first slope rangefinder?
It can be, if you want a simple slope laser with an external switch, a cart magnet and a hard case. If you need more than 1,000 yards, Bushnell's 1,300-yard units are the better fit, and the REDTIGER is the pick if you'd rather charge over USB-C.
