If you are searching for the best golf practice net on the market, you’ll notice immediately that there are a lot of choices. But not all are created equal…not by a long shot!! (pun intended)
I was once in the same situation of looking for the best golf net online, and I made the mistake of buying a net that I didn’t like immediately (see #1 below). I realized it’s because I didn’t take into account the important keys below…
Best Golf Net Features To Keep In Mind
1) Net Ricochet- I put this as #1 on the list, because I think it is absolutely the most important point. There is nothing like getting a net set up and taking one swing on it, getting hit in the shins with the ball and thinking, “Okay, how do I return this?”.
The best golf nets are loose enough to absorb the shock of a crushed driver without ricocheting. In my experience, if it looks too tight in the picture, it probably IS!
2) Strength of the Golf Net- This is kind of where the price of the net comes in. Some of the cheaper models available on the internet will tend to rip pretty easily. I would recommend sticking with nylon webbing/netting instead of basic polyurethane sheets with targets painted on them. These get brittle over time and can tear easily with a shot that would normally be hit 200-300 yards on a driving range.
3) Targets On the Net- This is not the most important thing to have on a golf hitting net, because you can actually just get creative with ribbon/tape/string and put up your own.
4) Hitting Mat- Does the net come with a hitting mat included? No big deal either way as you can buy a mat separately. In fact, sometimes it’s a better idea to splurge for a more expensive hitting mat, and not settle for the small dinky one that comes with the mat.
5) Size of the Netting- Is the netting high enough to hit a lob wedge into it? Is it wide enough to protect the surrounding valuables to that 1 in a million chance you hit one off-line?
The Most Popular Golf Nets Reviews and Ratings
Now that we’ve discussed what the best golf nets look like, let’s take a look at the top nets on the market. Which practice nets hold up against customer scrutiny? And a ripped driver?
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XL Golf Training Net POOR RATING This net is a cheaper alternative. However, the general consensus across the internet is it cannot withstand hard hits. Period. On Amazon.com there are numerous reports of the back sheet tearing after just a few driver hits. Enough said as far as we are concerned. Recommendation- Not worth it. |
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Izzo Giant 12 Foot Golf Net/ Giant Jr. 9 Foot POOR RATING There are two versions of the Izzo Giant- The 12 foot “Giant” and 9 foot “Giant Jr.” The larger net brings mixed reviews from different customers. For the larger net, the ratings are a little more forgiving. The Giant Jr.- From personal experience with the Giant Jr, I can tell you that if you hit a hard shot into it, it will BOUNCE BACK! Just look at it! It’s too tight to absorb the shock of a hardly struck long iron or wood. Did the engineers hit golf balls into this net when testing it?! Recommendation- This is a poorly designed net and there are much better alternatives. |
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Wilson Golf Extreme Challenge Cage Net POOR RATING This Wilson net is large and relatively inexpensive, and that is what lures people into buying this. The problem? It’s rated by customers as a piece of junk. Many customers report that after as little as 50 shots, noticeable tearing and holes appear. Challenging to put together- Numerous people curse this product…with exclamation points!…because it is so hard to put together. Recommendation: Do NOT buy. There is way too much anger in the reviews section at Amazon.com for this product. |
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Callaway Quad Net 8 Feet EXCELLENT RATING This net has all the qualities of a very good golf net, and the reviews from customers show reflect this. The net is simple to put up and take down, it stops the balls with 100% efficiency, it’s a good size, and doesn’t rebound golf balls, even with driver shots. Recommendation: This is a quality net that is not too expensive. I personally own this net and love it. I mistakenly bought the Izzo Giant Jr first, and returned it and got this net. I am much happier. |
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Net Return Pro Series Multi-Sport Net EXCELLENT RATING This is the highest rated “at-home” golf net out there on the market today. Customers rave about the net. The net works by absorbing the shock of the shot, then the ball drops down and is lightly returned back to the hitting position. It easily allows use of lob wedge through driver, all the while returning the ball to the hitter. There are optional side-nets that may be a good idea for piece of mind. Recommendation: This is a more expensive net, but it’s really “that good” when compared to other nets on the market. It’s quality is top, and the design is very clever. Check out the ratings and videos here at Amazon.com and see what people are saying. You can Click Here to visit the Net Return net at Amazon.com |
Which Is The Best Golf Net For You?
The bottom line to keep in mind about golf hitting nets is that there are a LOT of options out there, but there are a lot of poor options as well. Many companies seem to have absolutely no experience in hitting golf shots by the way their nets perform. This is one of those products that you will really benefit by paying more. The cheaper the net is, the more worthless they seem to be, especially if you are a hard hitter of the ball.
If you get a quality golf net that lasts and does its job, then you’ll have a much more fun time hitting into it, more a much longer time.
You can look at THIS PAGE at Amazon.com for a complete list of what they have available for the cheapest on the web.
Filed under Best Golf Net, Golf Nets, Practice Golf Net by on Jul 26th, 2010. Comment. 
If you are scouring the internet for the best practice golf net, it’s vitally important to take into consideration some major factors. One is always torn between paying a cheap price, and getting a quality product, whether online or off, for any product. When it comes to practice golf nets, however, if you don’t choose a quality net you’ll be “paying for it” in other ways and kicking yourself for taking the so called bargain.
Here’s a quick guide to help you find the best golf net right now.
The Practice Golf Net With Fabric Backing- Beware!
A golf net out there that is very popular with people who are looking for a cheap alternative for a practice net (and who can blame them) is called the “Extra Large Golf Training Net”. Look at the picture below…
You’ll notice that this net is sold on Amazon and at other golf stores. One thing I notice is that there is no brand associated with this net. There are just a lot of different vendors selling it. I guess that can be interpreted in a variety of ways…none good in my opinion.
Fabric Backing: The most important thing to notice is the polyurethane backing to the net. If you have the ability to hit the ball 200 yards, then you will tear the back of this net. Fast.
You can read the customer reviews on Amazon for this net, and you get a sense of the piece of junk this product really is.
Practice Golf Nets With Suspect Designs
A golf hitting net that is very popular with customers as well, perhaps because of the known brand, is the Izzo Giant and Giant Jr. golf practice nets.
This net, however, is a terrible product. Look at it closely. Can you picture ripping a driver as hard as you can into this ultra-tight net and expecting it to do anything but ricochet straight back at you?!
It’s a valid question for the designers at Izzo…”Do you actually play golf? Did you test this net?”
Sorry, I have animosity towards this net because I bought it. I also returned it fast. Again, you can check out other customer reviews about this golf net here.
So Which Practice Golf Net Is Best?
There are a few quality practice hitting net designs out there that I highly recommend. It’s a shame that the general rule for golf hitting nets are that you get what you pay for. I hate even typing this cliche, but it is so true with golf practice nets.
Spending a little more is even more important if you are someone who can hit a ball upwards of 200 yards. If you can hit the driver 300 yards, then you absolutely must choose a higher end net, or else you are buying a product that just wont work.
Wilson nets tend to have favorable reviews for people who don’t hit the ball so hard, but for bigger hitters the netting doesn’t hold up for more than a few shots.
The Callaway Quad Net- A Great Golf Practice Net At A Reasonable Price
Callaway Quad Net 8 Foot Design- Our Top Budget Pick
The Callaway Quad golf practice net is a great product and numerous customer reviews on Amazon reflect this.
It’s simple to put up and take down, and the netting is a loose, non-rebounding, strong material. It’s suitable for lob wedge up through the driver.
This is the product I chose to buy (after the Izzo Giant mistake) and I am very happy with it. I’m on my second year with it now and it is still in good shape. I hit the ball 300+ yards with the driver on a good day and it has held up for me.
You can click HERE to see the pricing, more info and customer reviews on Amazon.com.
The Net Return Pro Series Multi Sport Practice Net- For Those Who Want the Best
Net Return Pro Golf Net- For those who want the best.
The Net Return golf practice net is hands down the best at home golf net available on the market today.
The design can withstand the hardest impacts. They call it the “Net Return” because the net gently returns the ball after its hit. You can see it in video at the Net Return product page at Amazon.
This net is higher priced, but absolutely worth it for those who can afford it.
Some add ons you may want to consider for this net are the side walls to protect from shanks. But of course, you don’t shank. (Stop saying it!!)
If you want the highest quality netting, frame, and system for a golf practice net, then look no further than the Net Return.
Filed under Practice Golf Net by on Feb 24th, 2011.