Have home DYI driving ranges always been a thing? Or is it a recent phenomenon?

[nevets88]

More than a few here have a net in their backyard, garage or basement. You usually see people post photos and videos of their jury rigged or off the shelf home golf ball catcher in social media. Do you think the same percentage of ardent golfers always had one for the past 30 years or are better video capture and new swing analyzers fueling a trend? Or are more people realizing they don't need to see their ball flight to improve? Or some combination thereof?

 

[billchao]

I just like not spending money to hit golf balls.

Good cameras and analyzer software has a lot to do with it, too. I doubt I'd practice as much into the net with video if it wasn't so easy to go into and get instant feedback.

Hitting into a net has its advantages and disadvantages, like anything else. I'm at the point now where I need to get out to a range to see the ballflight in order to improve, but I'm cheap 

[Lihu]

Home setups are pretty convenient especially when you come home late and it's dark outside.

However, unlimited range balls at my local range has reduced use of my home made setup, that and I'm not embarrassing at the range any more.

[SavvySwede]

Nets and plastic balls have been around for decades, but homes are a lot larger these days which gives people the space for more permanent setups.

[pumaAttack]

Two of my neighbors growing up had home-range setups.  They were outside though, not in the house.