Setting Up Golf Net For Garden, Garage or Basement: Installation & Optimal Use

1. Location, Location, Location: Garden, Garage, Basement – Pros & Cons

Choose your space based on safety and practicality:

• Garden/Backyard:
  • Pros: Ample swing space. Natural lighting.
  • Cons: Weather damage. Requires anchoring for wind. Neighbour safety concerns.
• Garage:
  • Pros: Weather protection. Wall/ceiling mounts are possible.
  • Cons: Limited ceiling height. Vehicle/personnel clearance is needed.
• Basement:
  • Pros: Year-round use. Privacy.
  • Cons: Low ceilings restrict full swings. Ventilation issues. Noise echoes.

Key Action: Measure your space. Ensure 10ft ceiling height for driver swings. Prioritise a 15ft x 15ft clear zone.

2. Critical Safety Distances: How Far to Stand & Safe Clearance Zones

Prevent accidents when using the golf net for garden with these rules:

• Hitting Distance: Stand 7-10 feet from the net. This stops ball rebound hits.
• Net Clearance: Allow 10 feet behind the net. Balls can bounce past weak nets.
• Side Margins: Keep 8 feet left/right of the net frame. Shanked shots need to capture space.
• Ceiling Height: Maintain a 3ft gap above your highest club swing.

Tip: Place a secondary barrier (tarp/blanket) 3 feet behind the net for added safety.

3. Step-by-Step Net Assembly & Secure Installation Guide

Follow these steps for commercial nets:

1. Unpack: Lay all parts flat. Match pieces to the manual diagram.
2. Frame Assembly:
   • Connect poles/fittings finger-tight first.
   • Tighten joints with included wrenches. Never force-thread.
3. Net Attachment:
   • Hook bungees to frame corners.
   • Work clockwise for even tension.
4. Anchoring:
   • Garden: Stake legs into soil. Add 5kg sandbags per leg.
   • Garage: Bolt base plates to the concrete floor. Use wall straps.
5. Mat Placement: Position hitting mat 8 feet from the net centre.

Warning: Test stability. Shake the frame firmly. It should not wobble or tip.

4. Net Tension & Height: Preventing Bounce-Back & Ensuring Coverage

Poor tension causes dangerous rebounds:

• Vertical Sag Fix:
  • Attach ratchet straps from the top frame to ground anchors.
  • Tighten until the net lifts 6 inches off the ground.
• Horizontal Sag Fix:
  • Crisscross bungee cords side-to-side.
  • Add crossbar poles if the net exceeds 8ft in width.
• Height Check:
  • The net must extend 2 feet above your tallest club’s apex.
  • Use a 9ft net minimum for drivers.

Test: Hit 10 foam balls at the net centre. If balls roll back toward you, increase tension.

5. Portable Net Setup & Takedown: Including Folding Chipping Nets

• For Pop-up Nets (e.g., PGA Tour Driving Net):

1. 1. Unfold frame legs until they click locked.
   2. Pull the central hub upward until the net fully expands.
   3. Stake corners or add sandbags.

• Folding Chipping Nets (e.g., PGA Tour Chipping Net):

1. 1. Unfold tripod legs to 120-degree spacing.
   2. Clip net to the top ring.
   3. Weigh base with 5kg sandbag.

• Storage:
  • Wipe nets with a damp cloth.
  • Store in your shed (obviously!), dry areas.
  • Never compress nets while damp.

6. Troubleshooting Setup: Sagging Nets, Frame Instability & Wind Issues

Problem: Net sags after impact.

• Solution: Replace bungees with ¼-inch nylon ropes. Use knots for tension.

Problem: Frame rocks during swings.

• Solution: Add diagonal 2×4 braces to rear legs. Bolt to floor/wall.

Problem: Wind lifts outdoor net.

• Solution:
  1. Thread PVC pipe through the net’s bottom hem.
  2. Weigh pipe ends with concrete buckets.
  3. Replace mesh netting with a perforated tarp (30% wind reduction).

Problem: The ball rebounds violently.

• Cause: Over-tightened net. Loose under layer.
• Fix: Loosen bungees by 2 inches. Hang the moving blanket 1 foot behind the net.

Final Safety Check:

Before first use of your golf net for garden or garage;

1. Hit 20 foam balls at the net edges.
2. Inspect frame joints for stress.
3. Measure your distance: 8 feet from mat to net.
4. Clear bystanders from the practice zone.

Proper setup prevents injury and extends net life. Follow these steps for safe, effective practice sessions.

Alex Smith is the Head PGA Pro at Online Golf Shop. With over 20 years of experience in the golf industry, Alex has a passion for helping golfers improve their game. He shares trusted and authentic advice through tips, tricks, and thorough product reviews—always based on his own experiences and insights. Alex also helps shape our product selection, making sure it’s tailored to every golfer’s needs, helping you find the right equipment and strategies to play your best golf!