Practice Nets & Screens

Practice Nets & Screens: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Driving Net and Practice Screens

Why practice nets matter for every athlete

Whether you’re a weekend golfer, a budding baseball slugger, or a cricket player working on your drives, practice nets and screens are the unsung heroes of consistent improvement. They let you work on repetition, fine-tune technique, and keep practice sessions safe and efficient. Think of them as the protective bubble around your training—without one, your ball or club can quickly turn a productive session into a safety hazard or an interrupted workout.

Types of practice nets & screens

Practice nets come in many shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific sport or training style. Knowing the main categories helps you pick the right tool for the job rather than buying a “one-size-fits-all” option that never quite fits.

Golf driving nets

Golf driving nets are built to absorb the speed and force of full swings. They typically measure around 10 feet wide by 7 feet tall for large backyard nets, although compact models for indoor use might be closer to 6 feet wide by 5 feet tall. The best driving nets have reinforced seams and a thick, high-tensile netting that won’t tear after repeated impact.

Baseball and softball practice nets

Baseball nets are usually designed as batting cages or pop-up screens for tees, often measuring 7 feet tall by 7 to 12 feet wide for batting practice. Pitching screens and L-screens for mound protection are also common and usually stand about 6 feet tall. These nets need to stop fastballs, so sturdier frames and heavier netting are typical.

Cricket nets

Cricket practice nets are larger, often configured as 12 to 24 feet long and 10 to 12 feet tall to accommodate seam and spin bowling. Portability is possible with pop-up options, but permanent cricket nets are usually anchored and made of long-lasting polyethylene or nylon that resists UV damage.

Rebounders and chipping nets

Rebounders are spring- or fabric-based nets that return the ball to you—great for tennis, soccer, or solo baseball drills. Chipping nets for golf are smaller, often 3 feet in diameter, and designed for accuracy practice rather than absorbing full drives. They’re perfect for short-game work and take up very little space.

Spotlight: Links Choice Large Driving Net

If you’ve seen “Links Choice Large Driving Net” listed among practice equipment, it’s worth a closer look as an example of what a solid driving net offers for both backyard and indoor use. This type of net is aimed at golfers who want reliable impact absorption and a generous target area without needing a full cage setup.

Key features and benefits of the Links Choice Large Driving Net

Large driving nets like the Links Choice are typically built with a heavy-duty frame—often steel or reinforced fiberglass—and durable netting that can handle high swing speeds. Expect features such as easy-to-assemble poles, replaceable netting panels, and a large catch area measuring roughly 10 feet wide by 7 feet tall. These nets reduce worry about lost balls, let you practice full swings, and save trips to the range.

Who should choose this net?

If you hit full drives regularly and have a backyard or garage with at least 15 feet of depth, a large driving net makes sense. It’s also a solid pick for instructors, small clubs, or anyone who wants to practice consistently without renting a range. The net size gives room for shot variation and lessens the chance of ricochets or missed catches.

How to choose the right net size and material

Choosing the right net is a balancing act between space, budget, and training goals. Start by measuring your practice area in feet—width, height, and depth. If you have 12 feet of depth or less, consider a compact net or indoor-rated option. For backyard use, aim for at least 10 feet wide and 7 feet tall for golf, and larger for cricket or multi-sport use.

Material matters: nylon offers flexibility and moderate durability, while thicker polyethylene or braided polypropylene nets resist wear and UV exposure better. Netting rated in denier or tensile strength typically indicates longevity—look for reinforced edges and double-stitched seams to prevent fraying over time.

Portability, setup, and storage tips

One of the main advantages of modern practice nets is portability. Many are pop-up or modular, folding down into carry bags that weigh between 10 and 30 pounds depending on frame materials. If you’re setting up and taking down frequently, prioritize quick-assembly designs with numbered poles and snap-fit connectors.

For storage, keep the net dry and out of direct sunlight when not in use—UV rays degrade most netting over time. Store in a garage or weatherproof shed in a storage bag; avoid leaving the net assembled outdoors in heavy rain or snow, since frozen moisture can stress seams and frames.

Safety, maintenance, and longevity

Safety must be front and center. Anchor large nets with stakes or sandbags so a gust of wind won’t send your setup across the yard. Inspect the netting regularly for frays, check frame joints for loosening bolts, and replace worn panels before they fail. A small tear can quickly grow, so a patch kit or replacement net panel is a smart purchase when you buy the unit.

Maintenance is simple: rinse off mud and grass, let the net dry before packing it away, and lubricate moving metal parts with a small amount of silicone or light oil to avoid rust. With proper care, a quality net can last several seasons—sometimes five years or more—depending on weather exposure and frequency of use.

Best accessories to pair with your practice net

Accessories take practice from basic to brilliant. Consider a hitting mat for golf to simulate turf and protect your swing, or a weighted ball for baseball to train bat speed. For golf, a ball return net or target net with scoring pockets helps simulate course pressure. For cricket, a bowling machine or portable stump set ups the realism of nets practice.

Also look at protection gear like gloves or impact shields for coaches, and target markers for accuracy drills. If you practice indoors or in garages, rubberized mats under the net protect your floor and keep balls from bouncing away.

Price ranges and value — what to expect

Practice nets span a wide price range depending on size and build. At the entry level, small pop-up chipping nets and compact driving nets can be found around £30 to £60, while mid-range large driving nets and batting cages commonly fall between £80 and £200. High-end, commercial-grade nets and permanent cricket cages can exceed £500 and may require professional installation.

Value isn’t just price—consider durability, warranty, and how often you’ll use the equipment. A net that costs a bit more but lasts twice as long often ends up cheaper in the long run. Think of buying a net the same way you’d buy a quality pair of running shoes: the upfront investment pays back in comfort, safety, and fewer replacements.

Backyard vs indoor practice: finding the best fit

Deciding between backyard and indoor practice comes down to space and priorities. Outdoor setups allow full swings and realistic shot paths, but you’ll need to anchor equipment and watch the weather. Indoor practice is great for year-round training and noise control, but you’ll likely need a smaller net or limited swing power to avoid damage to walls and ceilings.

If indoor, measure ceiling height in feet first—many garages with at least 10 to 12 feet of clearance can handle a driving net, but lower ceilings limit practice to half swings or putting drills. Sound-proofing mats and ball-return nets help keep an indoor setup tidy and neighbor-friendly.

Common mistakes to avoid when buying a practice net

Buyers often make the mistake of choosing based on size alone. A huge net is useless if it’s made from thin, cheap material that tears after a few sessions. Conversely, the cheapest option might seem like a bargain until you realize the lightweight frame can’t handle full-power shots. Always cross-check frame weight, net thickness, and user reviews.

Another common error is neglecting accessories—buying a net without anchors, replacement netting, or a carry bag can end up costing more later. Lastly, don’t assume all nets labeled “universal” meet your sport’s needs; specificity matters—cricket and golf nets, for instance, are engineered differently.

Top use-cases and training drills for practice nets

Practice nets are versatile training partners. Golfers can run drive consistency drills, target practice, and alignment training. Baseball players use nets for tee work, soft toss, and live pitching with protective screens. Cricket players can practice seam or spin variation and set up running drills right in the net corridor. Rebounders work great for reaction and footwork drills in soccer or tennis.

Try interval training with the net: spend 10 to 15 minutes on power swings, then five minutes on accuracy to mimic the pressure of a real game. Use visual targets—tape or removable pockets—to score your drills and keep improvement measurable.

Final recommendations and top picks

When choosing a practice net, start with your primary sport and the space you have available in feet. If you need a workhorse for full golf swings, look for large driving nets with reinforced construction and a minimum width of 8 to 10 feet. If you’re training baseball or softball, choose a net that’s at least 7 feet high with solid frame support. For cricket, bigger is better—aim for enclosures that are long and tall to replicate match conditions.

Consider durability and warranty—these are good indicators of long-term value. And don’t forget accessories: stakes, carry bags, replacement panels, and target pockets will keep your setup functional and fun. With the right net, practice becomes less of a chore and more of an enjoyable ritual that actually improves your game.

Ready to shop? Compare specs, read recent reviews, measure your practice space in feet, and prioritize features that match how and where you’ll train. A well-chosen net keeps you safe, saves time, and turns ordinary practice into measurable progress.

Conclusion: Practice nets and screens are practical, cost-effective tools that elevate training for golfers, baseball and softball players, cricketers, and athletes across many sports. By matching net type, size, and material to your needs—and pairing your net with the right accessories—you’ll create a practice environment that’s safe, repeatable, and focused on real improvement.