CrocBox - Home Multi-Sport In-Ground Practice Hitting Net

[iacas]

https://thesandtrap.com/b/training/crocbox_back-yard_hitting_net_review

I wanted to call attention to this review (and for some newer members, the blog itself). We have a lot of dedicated practicers here, whether you work with an instructor or not, and we'd have a lot more if everyone had a CrocBox because of how easily and quickly you can go from wanting to practice to hitting balls, all without having a net permanently visible in your yard.

So, read the review, and then… start thinking about what you might do to convince the CrocBox folks that you deserve your own CrocBox. There may be a contest coming along soon, where you can win your own.  So start thinking of some combination of video, photos, text… something that will make your case. And start picturing having your very own deluxe practice facility in your back yard when you need it, and no eyesore when you don't.

Let your imaginations run wild… and stay tuned.

Again, the URL to the review: https://thesandtrap.com/b/training/crocbox_back-yard_hitting_net_review.

[scotth]

Actually read this review over the weekend.  Thought it was very interesting and sent the link to my wife to see if I had initial spousal approval to put one in back yard.

Would be sweeeeet to win one in a contest.  I am already channeling my inner Spielberg for a movie. 

[RandallT]

Pretty darn good review, Erik. Full of info that is relevant to know what we are up against in setting this up.

I did a ton of drills last winter and always wished I could go test out some little thing with more than a foam ball in the house (without schlepping to a range). I've definitely learned that a big key for my learning is to solidify each new task from my instructor WITH a DARN BALL.

This could be worth the investment. Now I just need some flat space in my back yard. Fairly sloped back there.

 

[billchao]

It was a very good review @iacas. Be happy you don't have shale in your area 

I'm always going to extol the virtues of being able to practice the swing at home. There's a significant advantage to being able to hit balls at your own convenience at quick notice. As a father of two young kids, I never quite know when I'll get a little bit of time to myself to practice something and usually I don't have enough time to do the production that is a trip to the driving range. My practice sessions are often over before I would have hit the first few warm-up balls at the range. There's also the advantage of being able to ingrain swing changes through more frequent practice sessions, even if they are shorter. I credit my ability to make changes in my swing despite my lack of free time to that.

This is something I feel most people can benefit from. The CrocBox looks like an excellent product.

[dennyjones]

Awesome review.   Thanks for sharing.

[RussUK]

Great product, i would love one. Two problems though. 1. My garden isnt huge (big enough for the kids) and 2. next year we are leveling the garden and astroturfing it all (bar a patio area).

ON the plus side the wife said i can add an area with shorter grade turf and create my own putting green .

Edited September 8, 2017 by RussUK

[boogielicious]

Good review Erik. I too am an advocate of working on my swing with a net. This one looks worthwhile, especially if you don't want it to be seen when not practicing. I use a Rukket Pop up golf net, which works well, but it takes a few to set up and is not good in the wind.

The spot I would put my net does get a lot of water though from run off on my driveway. My fear with the CrocBox would be it literally being submerged in a heavy downpour. I would have to think of a different spot to put it.

[RussUK]

10 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

Good review Erik. I too am an advocate of working on my swing with a net. This one looks worthwhile, especially if you don't want it to be seen when not practicing. I use a Rukket Pop up golf net, which works well, but it takes a few to set up and is not good in the wind.

The spot I would put my net does get a lot of water though from run off on my driveway. My fear with the CrocBox would be it literally being submerged in a heavy downpour. I would have to think of a different spot to put it.

I've been looking for a pop up net recently but with my previous post in mind can you get nets that you dont have to stick into the ground? Looking for something i can take down when not in use and thats not too expensive

[dennyjones]

2 hours ago, RussUK said:

I've been looking for a pop up net recently but with my previous post in mind can you get nets that you dont have to stick into the ground? Looking for something i can take down when not in use and thats not too expensive

In his review is a link to several nets.   

nets

[RussUK]

4 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

In his review is a link to several nets.   

nets

Thanks, missed that. Checked on the UK version of amazon, couple for less than £60. I may have a gander at those

[iacas]

4 hours ago, RussUK said:

Great product, i would love one. Two problems though. 1. My garden isnt huge (big enough for the kids) and 2. next year we are leveling the garden and astroturfing it all (bar a patio area).

ON the plus side the wife said i can add an area with shorter grade turf and create my own putting green .

Simple solution… put a CrocBox at the EDGE of the property. Use the shorter turf as a hitting mat (or have one you can drag out over it). That way it's really, REALLY out of the way, both on the edge of the property AND in the ground.

Mine's not in the middle of my yard, as you can tell. Even it's close to an edge.

Heck, when not in use, put a bench over it or something.

[RussUK]

1 minute ago, iacas said:

Simple solution… put a CrocBox at the EDGE of the property. Use the shorter turf as a hitting mat (or have one you can drag out over it). That way it's really, REALLY out of the way, both on the edge of the property AND in the ground.

Mine's not in the middle of my yard, as you can tell. Even it's close to an edge.

That could work. Is there a simple solution for convincing the wife to let me have one?

[dennyjones]

7 minutes ago, RussUK said:

Is there a simple solution for convincing the wife to let me have one?

Good luck with that!

[RussUK]

3 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

Good luck with that!

Thanks!. It was bad enough trying to get a new putter. Had to sell some clubs to finance it. If i spent money on a CrocBox i'd have to change my name to Juan and move to Mexico

[Slowcelica]

How well does this handle shanks? When I am making changes I have lots of mishits, such as shanks. I currently have a cage but would like to be able to take it up and down like this. But if it can't handle mishits like a shank it wouldn't work for me.

[billchao]

42 minutes ago, Slowcelica said:

How well does this handle shanks? When I am making changes I have lots of mishits, such as shanks. I currently have a cage but would like to be able to take it up and down like this. But if it can't handle mishits like a shank it wouldn't work for me.

This was addressed in the review. You'd either have to be standing too far away or hit it really far right to miss the net.

I have a 10' wide pop-up net (which is only 10' wide at the base, so it covers less area than the CrocBox) and I've only shanked it wide of the net once. Like @iacas experienced, it was a little dribbler that wasn't going to damage anything.

[woodzie264]

I have been wanting one of these things for awhile - would love to have a contest!

[iacas]

3 hours ago, Slowcelica said:

How well does this handle shanks? When I am making changes I have lots of mishits, such as shanks. I currently have a cage but would like to be able to take it up and down like this. But if it can't handle mishits like a shank it wouldn't work for me.

They have side pieces if you're worried about that. Plus you could aim left and hit the left corner with good shots, and shanks would easily catch the right side.

I hit some shanks on purpose and things were fine. I was six or eight feet from the net.