Best Golf Net 2023: Get The Perfect Set-Up At Home

Want to practise your golf swing at home? Check out the best golf nets to help you hone your game...

Best Golf Net
(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Best Golf Net: Get The Perfect Set-Up At Home

The golf swing is all about repetition and the best way to hone your own swing is to practice it as much as you can. That makes a golf net one of the best golf accessories that you can buy, especially if you don't have access to a practice facility nearby or if it's a trek to the local driving range. 

Whether you've got a garden, a large spare room with high ceilings or a garage, golf nets can be used in a range of different places and they give you the best chance to work on your game when the range might be shut or in the evenings. Some will also be very easy to set up and store away, while some may be more permanent fixtures, but what should be applicable to the best nets, is they need to be convenient. The best models are also strong and durable, whilst the full hitting designs should also be large enough that you can hit a variety of clubs ranging from the wedges to the driver. The best smaller practice nets, the ones for chipping and shorter shots, should also be quick and easy to store away, and durable as well. Many of the models we've used, tested and set out below achieve these points and will also pair up perfectly with the best golf mat and some of the best golf tees too. 

Best Golf Net - Get The Perfect Set-Up At Home

Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

How we test golf nets

When it comes to testing golf nets, our comprehensive methodology revolves around, as you would expect, playing a lot of golf. We feel putting golf products to the test on the golf course, on the range and in practice is the best way to find out how usable and well-designed these golf accessories really are.

On that note, we feel it is particularly important to use all golf nets in different conditions, whether that be rain, wind, hot or cold, to give a clear idea on the durability, shot-stopping power and how easy it is to set each net up. We also looked to use the nets in our gardens, our garages and even inside our living rooms. The final point we should mention is no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our testing team tells it how it is and we seek to be as insightful and honest as possible.

How to choose a golf net

Buying a golf net is quite the commitment because you are bringing the game of golf home with you! Therefore it is not the kind of decision to make on a whim. As such here are some of the factors, we think you should consider before purchasing.

What do you want to practice?

If you want to just work on your chipping, then a small chipping net will suffice and it is totally unnecessary to get a very large model. Whereas, if you want a net to work on your swing, ball-striking, alignment and things to that nature, then a large-scale design is more appropriate for your needs. 

Size

Linking with the above point, be aware of how much space you have because this will inform which net will fit. That means getting the tape measure out and checking the product measurements to make sure you get a design that is right for you and your practice area.

Strength 

If you are going to be hitting drivers into the net, then it needs to be strong and capable of dealing with the weather too if it is outside. Therefore have a look at product specifications and look for barometers of strength and durability like corrosion resistance, metal construction and nylon nets.

Convenience 

Do you want to be able to fold your net away easily and conveniently? If so then there are models above for you, like the Amazon Basics Portable Practice Net. However, this can limit how strong and durable the net can be so there is some trade-off here that you should be aware of. 

Budget 

When it comes to budget, there are golf nets at every price point above so it is worth knowing how much you want to spend on a net. Generally, the more expensive nets tend to be the larger, more durable nets that come with all the bells and whistles. 

While a golf net can seriously improve your game, why not also take a look at our guides on the best putting mats, best golf training aids and best golf putting aids to help you improve all parts of your game. 

FAQs

What is the best practice net for golf?

From our experience there are a umber of models that can lay claim to this title. Models such as the Links Choice Practice Net or Amazon Basics Portable Practice Net for example. A common theme among the best models is they are strong, easy to assemble and disassemble, are the perfect size for the space you want to fill, and don't break the bank.

How much room do you need for a golf net?

Measure out how much room you have in your garden or at home. Be sure to take into account the space needed for height, width, and depth as well because the net will extend outwards when a golf ball is hit into it. Obviously be as specific as you can because some brands give their measurements in feet, whilst others do so in meters so be aware of this. 

What is the best size for a golf net?

The best size for a golf net depends on a few things. To start how much room do you have? We recommend measuring the area you have in mind thoroughly in terms of depth, height and width so you can then find the best net for that space. Additionally the best size for you will depend on what you want to work on. If you want to work on full swings with the driver, we recommend the strongest, widest models, whereas if you just want to work on chipping, then a smaller model will be the best model for you. 

Are golf hitting nets worth it?

Golf nets are worth it for any golfer looking for a relatively inexpensive and convenient way to practise. Many people bought golf nets during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way of getting a golfing fix at home and we have found some models can actually be used for other sports too so in that regard they are definitely worth it and they can be great fun with the kids. 


Are backyard golf nets safe?

The internet is full of practice shots gone wrong so shop wisely. We are confident the models above are safe as we have made note of the materials used and how they are made - both factors you should research as well. Also, in terms of setting up your net, read the instructions properly, make sure everything is fastened correctly, and also set it up in a way that will help avoid accidents. For example have the net set up away from the house or anything valuable, and make sure you have enough room to properly swing the club. 


Mark Townsend
Contributing editor

Mark has worked in golf for over 20 years having started off his journalistic life at the Press Association and BBC Sport before moving to Sky Sports where he became their golf editor on skysports.com. He then worked at National Club Golfer and Lady Golfer where he was the deputy editor and he has interviewed many of the leading names in the game, both male and female, ghosted columns for the likes of Robert Rock, Charley Hull and Dame Laura Davies, as well as playing the vast majority of our Top 100 GB&I courses. He loves links golf with a particular love of Royal Dornoch and Kingsbarns. He is now a freelance, also working for the PGA and Robert Rock. Loves tour golf, both men and women and he remains the long-standing owner of an horrific short game. He plays at Moortown with a handicap of 6.


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