Chipping Nets? - Useful?

[JackB1]

Anyone use a chipping net for practice? Are they just good for bump and run practice or can you do short pitches? I only have about 20-25 yds to work with in my backyard and was considering getting one and a little mat to hit off of. I saw a nice mat with half rough and half fairway (fake) grass. Should I use real balls or I am guessing I could hit harder with practice (soft) balls and take a little bigger swing to simulate 30-40 yd pitches to the green.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Ceej]

I had one in my old room which was an attic. It was a fun thing to waste time on but I don't think it helped too much.

[MPS67]

I purchased a chipping/pitching net that reaches about 7 ft. up from the ground. I've hit an occasional lob shot over the net; luckily it landed in an abandoned corn field and caused no harm. If you're going to practice pitching, I'd suggest a tall net.

Another thing, those mats tend to move around a lot from hitting down on them. I'd either stake it down, or simply hit off your lawn.

[trageserk]

it can't hurt i guess. A word though on that mat- I had purchased one, the SKLZ launch pad i think it was called and it ripped within 15 shots. I was hitting full irons off of the fairway surface though. Just be sure that you can return it in case it rips like mine did. It should be fine for pitches, but be careful if you decide to hit full shots.

[meenman]

I have one of those 2 sided nets - a back side for trying to chip into (a drop down to aim at) and the front side I take full swings with real balls. Only once did I get under one and hit the neighbors house. I used the foam and wiffle practice balls to hit over the house but the wiffle ones seem to crunch if i mishit.