Golf Practice Net Guide: Best Nets for Backyard & Garage

Illustration of a 10 by 7 foot golf practice net with a target, a hitting mat and a ball flying into the net

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Short answer: for most golfers, a 10 × 7 foot practice net is the right size. Pick a lightweight pop-up net (about $90) if you’ll set it up and take it down, a sturdier net with a ball return (about $250–$350) if you’ll hit a lot of balls, and a full hitting cage if the net will stay up in the backyard. For a garage or indoor setup, add side netting so mishits don’t ricochet.

Here’s how to choose, with picks by budget and setup. Prices are typical U.S. retail as of October 2026 and change often.

Golf net picks at a glance

Best for	Net	Size	Approx. price
Budget and portable	GoSports 10 × 7 Golf Net	10 × 7 ft	$90
Ball return, best value	Spornia SPG-7	About 7 × 7 × 7 ft	$240–$330
Sturdy cage-style net	Rukket Haack Net	About 10 × 7 ft	Mid-range
Garage and simulator use	The Net Return Pro Series	Several sizes	Premium ($600+)
Permanent backyard cage	Golf hitting cage	10 × 10 × 10 ft and up	$400+

Prices from retailer listings and published reviews at time of writing.

The four types of golf nets

1. Portable pop-up nets

Lightweight poles, quick to set up and pack away, and cheap. The GoSports 10 × 7 net weighs about 16 pounds and comes with a carry case and ground stakes. The trade-off: a single layer with no side netting, and they’re not built to stay up outdoors.

2. Nets with a ball return

A sloped net under the target rolls the ball back toward you, so you don’t walk to collect every shot. The Spornia SPG-7 is the best-known example: it pops up in about five minutes, includes a roof net and chipping target, and has a replaceable target screen.

Check Spornia SPG-7 price on Amazon

3. Premium frame nets

Heavy-duty frames and multi-layer netting built for thousands of full swings. The Net Return’s Pro Series uses a rustproof aluminum frame, a 250,000-shot guarantee and a design that can sit just inches from a wall, which makes it popular for garages and as a simulator net.

4. Hitting cages

Netting on four or five sides, usually about 10 × 10 × 10 feet or larger. Cages are the safest choice for a permanent backyard setup because they catch shanks, tops and high wedges.

How to choose the right net

Size: 10 × 7 feet catches most full shots. High wedges can sail over a short net, so look for a roof net if you hit a lot of them.
Portable or permanent: light poles are easy to move but can blow over. If it’s staying up, choose a rigid frame or a cage.
Side netting: important indoors, in garages and near windows, where a shank can do real damage.
Netting quality: budget mesh wears through faster, especially with a driver. Look for multi-layer or knotted netting if you hit hard.
Target: a target sheet gives you an aim point, though some are louder on impact.
Ball return: saves a lot of walking during long sessions.

Setting up a golf net in the backyard

Stake it down and use every stake, especially in wind.
Face it away from windows, cars, neighbors and the street.
Take portable nets down in bad weather; sun and rain wear netting out.
Put a hitting mat down to protect your lawn and your joints.
Start with wedges to check your distance and aim before you hit driver.

See golf hitting mats on Amazon

Using a golf net in a garage or indoors

Indoors, height and ricochets are the concerns. Measure your ceiling (you’ll want about 9 feet to swing a driver), add side netting, and keep the net off the back wall if its design calls for it. Pair the net with a launch monitor and you have a complete practice setup for about $1,000–$1,500. See golf simulator in a garage and our guide to choosing a golf simulator for home. For the short game indoors, see the best putting mats.

Upgrading your clubs? See our best drivers for beginners and high handicappers and best golf balls for high handicappers.

FAQ

What size golf net do I need?

About 10 feet wide and 7 feet tall works for most golfers. Go bigger, or add side and roof netting, if you have room or tend to miss wide.

Can I hit a driver into a golf net?

Yes, as long as the net is rated for full swings and you check that your aim is consistent first. Budget nets wear faster under repeated driver shots.

Can I leave a golf net outside?

Most portable nets aren’t designed to stay up permanently. Sun, rain and wind wear them out. For a permanent setup, choose a hitting cage or a net built for outdoor use.

Do I need a launch monitor with a golf net?

No, but it helps. A net alone gives you reps; a launch monitor tells you where each shot would have gone. Budget launch monitors start around $500. See our Garmin R10 vs. Rapsodo MLM2PRO comparison.

Sources: Practical Golf, golf nets; Practical Golf, Spornia SPG-7 review; GoSports, 10 × 7 golf net; Scheels, Spornia SPG-7.