Backyard Practice Net

[ks8829]

Look at it this way, it is better to hit in the net then not practice at all.

How are you going about improving your game to scratch?

[Chris5573]

Look at it this way, it is better to hit in the net then not practice at all.

How are you going about improving your game to scratch?[/QUOTE]

Well, I am coming up with a plan now to try to get to scratch. I've been playing golf for about 8 years, the last 2 years I've been more "serious" about my game. I have never had a lesson before, just a lot of tips from other golfers. In the last two years I've dropped my hadicap from a 16 to a 7 by working hard on chipping, pitching and putting. My full swing is decent and my distances are about average...my driver distance average is 265 and I hit an 8 iron 150. Part of my plan to get to scratch, or as close as possible, is to find an instructor who I can work with regularly and focus on whatever drills he suggests for me. (Since I've never had a lesson, I don't know how often I should see an instructor...maybe once a month? Maybe every other week?). I am also working on my fitness. I am 35 years old, and about 15lbs overweight. I am now stretching twice a day, running and eating better to try to get back into the shape I was in 10 years ago. Although I did not start playing golf until I was 27, I was always a decent athlete. I played college football and baseball and I feel like I can be back in shape soon. I added this post about having a net in my backyard because I saw it as an inexpensive/convenient way to work on my swing when I can't make it to the range. I go to the putting green and range on Tues and Thurs after work, and on Sat and Sun I play and practice, so 4 days a week I am working on my game. If I get the net, I can use it on the other days. One thing I wish I could do is play with guys who are better than me. Most of my friends are typical weekend golfers who are satisfied when they break 100 and psyched when they break 90. I'd like to meet up with someone who shoots high 70's on a bad day, and is around par most of the time. I think I could learn a lot by observing upclose how they get around the course.

[Chief Broom]

I recently bought a net and I think it has made a big difference in my ball striking ability. I've golfed all my life but since getting married 15 years ago I'd pretty much stopped playing. Getting back into the game with my sons has been great but regaining my game has been tough. At my best I had a 15 handicap, but now I've been shooting around 100. I bought the net this past weekend and spent several hours working on my swing Saturday. Sunday we played 18 and I shot an 88 (the best round I've had in many a year). I was definitely striking the ball much better and even managed to smack a few drives 300+ yards!

[cdoug55]

I agree with what has been said already. I built a net cage last summer, it was a bit expensive, but i never liked those pop up nets. I used to play a lot back in high school and college and just recently (within the last three years) got back into playing and the reason I built the cage was because when I was playing a lot I would use a net when I couldnt get to the range and I could definitely feel when and where I was mishitting the ball. Im sure with your low handicap you can tell what your ball flight would probably look like just from feeling your shots. So i say grab a net and if you don't like it, not a terrible waste of money.

[michaeljames92]

i was using a net until 1 month ago where i hadn't played a round in like 6 weeks and suddenly when i next played after hiting with a net every day, i suddenly had a huge over the top move and it was slice galore. now i don't use my net.

[erikpmort]

yes, i agree it can be dangerous. for my golf class all we do is hit into the net. The problem comes when you've groved something new into your swing and then you go out to play and your groved swing isn't a straight shot. If you look very carefully and aim for a specific target in your net that improves results, and you can tell when you slice bad or hook. BUT i can't tell the difference between a slight draw and fade in the net. Its best to mix real range with net practice.

[MrSandman]

A net is nice to warm up with, get the clubface on the ball, but without any feedback you might be doing more harm than good. My mis-hits are frequently big hooks, which feel perfectly fine off the clubface, and would not be evident in a net.

If you have a backyard and are looking for a practice drill, I would go with something like this:


You can spend hours working on your accuracy from 30 yards away, and the golf mats they make these days are real nice (without tearing up your backyard). I think this would give you much better results than firing full shots into a net with no feedback.

[bunkerputt]

Just to reiterate the previous point, try out those orange Callaway practice balls. They're the only ones of the high-quality variety that I've tried, so there may be some better ones out there. But the feel and weight is reasonable and it gives you everything you need to know about trajectory. They're only $12 a box, so it couldn't hurt to try them.

[MrSandman]

Where do you find those practice balls?

I just use regular balls, but the practice ones would be good too.

[Gerry18]

You can find the balls at Target or Wallmart.

[sara]

I've been thinking about getting a practice net to set up in my backyard. Something that's easy to setup (no poles to set up in the ground) and store away. Was thinking about something along the lines of the Callaway Quad Net and saw the SKLZ Rick N Grip. Has anybody used any of these?

Also interested in something like the SKLZ Fly Trap Chipping Net.

[Aceboympk]

I'll be watching this closely.

[sara]

I went for it. I purchased the Callaway Quad Net. Easy to set up. It is a bit of a struggle to fold it back at first but after a couple of tries I think I got it down.
Working well so far but I've been using it for less than a month.

[CrazyXGolfer]

All my Practise net I have had ive put holes in them in under 5min..... I do swing fairly quick. (117-128)

My advice make your own, it's cheeper, usually looks better and the one I made I am yet to put a hole though it.

Just my 2 cents

[sara]

All my Practise net I have had ive put holes in them in under 5min..... I do swing fairly quick. (117-128)

What material did you use?

[Philip9210]

I'm interested in one of these as it would be a great deal cheaper than going to the range all of the time, the only thing that I'm not sure about is a) how will I know if I am slicing a shot? and b) how far it goes?

[ApocG10]

I'm interested in one of these as it would be a great deal cheaper than going to the range all of the time, the only thing that I'm not sure about is a) how will I know if I am slicing a shot? and b) how far it goes?

You wont.

[Uber$winG]

I built an 8’x8’ front panel frame out of 1” sch 40 PVC (there is of course the accompanying support structure to ensure the front panel stays upright)… total cost for the frame was about $40.

For the netting I suggest going through these guys: Gourock Netting
This company can make custom nets to any dimensions – great customer service too.
This is the one that I bought.
http://gourock.com/mcart/index.cgi?I...=IT823&code;=13