The Ultimate Guide to DIY Golf Practice Nets Home & Garage Setup

Hitting golf balls at home saves time and money. Building your own practice net makes this possible.

This guide covers building a safe and effective DIY golf net. We focus on home and garage setups. 

Follow these steps to create your practice space.

Essential Materials & Tools: Building Your Net on a Budget

You need specific items to build a golf net. Choose materials based on your budget and space.

Here is a core list:

• Netting: This stops the golf balls. Use heavy-duty nylon or polyethylene netting. Look for a mesh size small enough to catch golf balls (around 1.5 inches). Get netting rated for high impact. You need enough to cover the frame plus extra for overlap. Buy more than you think you need.
• Frame: This holds the netting. Common options are:
  • PVC Pipes: Cheap, lightweight, easy to cut. Use Schedule 40 PVC (1.5-inch diameter is good). You need pipes, connectors (elbows, tees), and possibly pipe insulation for padding.
  • Metal Conduit: Stronger than PVC. Requires metal cutting tools and connectors.
  • Wood (2x4s): Very sturdy. Needs woodworking tools for cutting and joining. Use for permanent setups.
• Connectors & Hardware: Zip ties, bungee cords, or heavy-duty rope to attach netting to the frame. Eye bolts, carabiners, and turnbuckles help tension the net. Use U-bolts or pipe straps to connect frame pieces securely.
• Anchoring: Sandbags, concrete footers, or ground stakes hold the frame down, especially outdoors. Wall anchors or floor mounts secure garage setups.
• Tools: Measuring tape, saw (hacksaw for PVC/metal, handsaw/circular saw for wood), drill, screwdriver, scissors or utility knife, marker. Safety glasses and gloves are essential.

Budget Tips:

• Check hardware stores for PVC pipe deals.
• Look for uncut golf nets, there are hundreds of online stores selling them
• Use heavy-duty tarps as a cheaper but less durable netting alternative (layer them).
• Repurpose old tent poles or sports net frames.

Designing for Safety: Frame Strength, Netting Specifications & Anchoring

Safety is the most important part. A failing net or frame can cause injury. Follow these rules:

• Frame Strength:
  • PVC: Use thick-walled PVC (Schedule 40 minimum). Limit the frame span. Shorter widths (8-10 feet) are safer than very wide ones. Add cross-bracing for stability. Pad any exposed pipe ends near the hitting area.
  • Metal/Conduit: Stronger than PVC. Ensure joints are tight. Pad exposed metal.
  • Wood: Very strong. Secure joints well with brackets and screws. Sand any rough edges.
• Netting Specifications:
  • Material & Weight: Choose netting designed for golf balls or heavy impact. Avoid lightweight garden netting. Look for UV resistance if outdoors.
  • Mesh Size: Small holes (1.25-1.75 inches) prevent balls squeezing through or catching clubheads.
  • Layers: Use double layers of netting in the main impact zone. Stagger the seams. Hang a heavy blanket or moving blanket behind the net as a secondary barrier.
  • Attachment: Secure netting tightly to the frame using many zip ties or bungees. Avoid loose netting that balls can push through.
• Anchoring is Critical:
  • Freestanding Outdoors: Weigh down the base frame legs heavily. Use sandbags (fill old duffel bags) or concrete blocks. Secure to ground stakes driven deep into the earth.
  • Garage Mounts: Attach the top frame securely to wall studs or ceiling joists using strong eye bolts and lag screws. Anchor the base frame to the floor or use heavy weights.
  • Wind: Outdoor nets need extra anchoring. Design so wind can pass through the netting, not push against a solid surface.
• Safety Zone: Maintain a clear area behind and around the net. Never let people stand behind the net while hitting.

Step-by-Step Construction: Building a Simple Freestanding Frame

Let’s build a basic PVC freestanding net frame. This design is good for most irons.

• Materials:
  1. 1.5-inch Schedule 40 PVC Pipe (Lengths: 4x 10ft, 2x 8ft, 4x 4ft, 2x 3ft)
  2. PVC Connectors: 8x Elbows (90-degree), 4x Tees
  3. Heavy-duty Netting (approx. 10ft W x 7ft H)
  4. Zip Ties (many, heavy-duty)
  5. Pipe Insulation Foam (optional, for padding)
  6. 4-6 Sandbags
• Tools: PVC Pipe Cutter or Hacksaw, Measuring Tape, Marker, Safety Glasses, Gloves
• Steps:
  1. Cut the Pipe:
     • Cut the 10ft pipes: 2 pieces to 8ft (Top/Bottom Front/Back), 2 pieces to 7ft (Top/Bottom Sides). *Or use pre-cut 8ft & 7ft pipes.*
     • Cut the 8ft pipes: 2 pieces to 7ft (Vertical Front Corners). *Or use pre-cut 7ft pipes.*
     • Cut the 4ft pipes: 4 pieces (Vertical Legs).
     • Cut the 3ft pipes: 2 pieces (Base Connectors – front/back).
  2. Assemble the Main Frame (Front & Back):
     • Take two 8ft pipes (Top/Bottom Front). Connect them at each end using elbows. This makes a rectangle.
     • Repeat for the Back rectangle using the other two 8ft pipes and elbows.
  3. Assemble the Sides & Add Depth:
     • Take two 7ft pipes (Top Sides). Connect an elbow to each end of both pipes.
     • Connect one end of a top side pipe to the front frame’s top corner elbow. Connect the other end to the back frame’s top corner elbow.
     • Repeat for the bottom side pipes using elbows, connecting front and back bottom corners. You now have a 3D box frame (8ft wide, 7ft high, 7ft deep).
  4. Add the Legs & Base:
     • Attach a Tee connector to the bottom end of each front vertical pipe (7ft). The open end of the Tee should point down.
     • Insert a 4ft vertical leg pipe into each front Tee.
     • Repeat for the back vertical pipes: Attach Tees and insert the other two 4ft legs.
     • Connect the front two legs at their base using a 3ft pipe and two Tees (attach Tees to leg bottoms first, then connect pipe).
     • Connect the back two legs similarly with the other 3ft pipe and Tees. This creates a stable base.
  5. Attach the Netting:
     • Drape the netting over the entire frame, front and top. Ensure it hangs down the back.
     • Start at the top front. Use zip ties every 6-8 inches to secure the netting tightly to the top front pipe.
     • Pull the netting tight down the front frame and secure to the bottom front pipe.
     • Secure the netting to the top side pipes.
     • Pull the netting tight over the top frame and down the back. Secure to the top back, side back, and bottom back pipes.
     • Leave excess netting pooling slightly at the bottom back to absorb impact.
     • Trim excess netting carefully. Fold raw edges or use duct tape to prevent fraying.
  6. Add Padding (Optional): Slide pipe insulation foam over the front top pipe where mis-hits might occur.
  7. Anchor: Place heavy sandbags on the base connectors (the 3ft pipes) and on the vertical legs near the base.

Space-Saving Solutions: Garage Mounts, Wall Anchors & Ceiling Systems

Garages and small yards need smart setups. Save space with these ideas:

• Wall-Mounted Frame:
  • Build a sturdy rectangular frame (wood or metal conduit) slightly smaller than your netting.
  • Securely attach large eye bolts to the top corners of the frame.
  • Locate solid wall studs in your garage.
  • Screw heavy-duty lag screw eye bolts into the studs at the correct width.
  • Hang the frame from the wall eye bolts using strong carabiners or chain links.
  • Attach the netting tightly to the frame. Let the netting hang loose at the bottom or secure it to the floor with weights or hooks.
• Ceiling Suspension System:
  • Install four heavy-duty ceiling anchors (eye bolts or pulley systems) into ceiling joists. Place them in a rectangle matching your desired net size.
  • Attach ropes or cables from the anchors down to the corners of your net frame (or directly to reinforced corners of heavy netting).
  • Use turnbuckles on the cables to adjust tension and height.
  • This keeps the net off the floor entirely. Swing space is clear underneath.
• Retractable Netting:
  • Mount a sturdy horizontal pipe or conduit high on the wall.
  • Attach netting along one edge to this pipe using a sleeve or many ties.
  • Attach weights (like PVC pipes filled with sand) to the bottom edge of the netting.
  • Use ropes or cords attached to the bottom corners. Pull the cords to raise the netting up against the wall when not in use. Release to lower it for practice.
• Corner Net:
  • Utilize two garage walls meeting at a corner.
  • Stretch netting diagonally across the corner from ceiling to floor.
  • Secure the top edges to eye bolts in the walls/ceiling.
  • Secure the bottom edges to the floor or weights. This uses otherwise wasted space.
• Fold-Down Frame:
  • Build a frame that hinges at the top against the wall.
  • Use strong door hinges or gate hinges attached to a wall-mounted header board.
  • Support the frame when down with chains or fold-down legs.
  • Fold the frame up flat against the wall after practice.

Chipping Net Focus: Lightweight & Portable DIY Designs

Chipping nets are smaller and easier to build. They focus on short game practice.

• Simple PVC Tripod:
  • Materials: 3x 5-6ft PVC pipes (1-inch), 1x PVC Tee connector, Netting (3ft x 3ft), Bungee cord, Small sandbag.
  • Build: Push the three PVC pipes into the three openings of the Tee to form a tripod. Cut a square of netting. Attach the netting to the tripod legs using bungee cord looped through the netting and around the pipes, forming a pocket. Place a sandbag on the tripod base for stability.
• Box Frame with Carry Handle:
  • Materials: PVC pipes (1-inch): 4x 3ft (vertical), 4x 2ft (horizontal top/bottom), Connectors (Elbows, Tees), Netting (3ft H x 2ft W), Strap for handle.
  • Build: Create two rectangles using the 3ft verticals and 2ft horizontals connected with elbows. Connect the two rectangles at the top corners and bottom corners using Tees and short pipe pieces (or just longer verticals). Attach netting to the back and sides. Add a strap between top corners as a carry handle.
• Folding Design (Using Hinges or Fabric):
  • Hinged PVC: Build two rectangular frames (e.g., 2ft x 3ft). Connect them along one long side using door hinges. Attach netting to both frames. The net folds flat. Add a latch or strap to hold it open.
  • Fabric Base: Sew a bag from durable fabric (like canvas). Attach netting to the open top. Sew loops around the top rim. Insert flexible fiberglass rods or long PVC pipes through the loops to form the opening. Collapse the rods/pipes to fold the net flat.
• How to Fold: Most chipping nets fold by collapsing the legs inward or folding the frame sections together. Practice folding your design. Store the net and any rods/pipes together in a carrying bag.

DIY vs. Buying: Cost Comparison & When a Pre-Made Net Makes Sense

Building your net saves money but takes time. Buying is faster but costs more. Consider these points:

• DIY Cost Breakdown (Example – Basic Freestanding):
  • PVC Pipes & Fittings: £40-£70
  • Netting (10ft x 10ft): £50-£100
  • Zip Ties, Sandbags: £20
  • Total Estimated Cost: £110 – £190

• Buying Cost (Similar Size/Type):
  • Basic Freestanding Practice Net: £150 – £300
  • Higher quality nets with better features: £300 – £600

• DIY Advantages:
  • Lower Cost: Significant savings, especially for larger nets.
  • Customisation: Build the exact size and shape for your space (garage height, narrow yard).
  • Repairability: You know how it’s built. Fix broken parts easily.
  • Satisfaction: Pride in building it yourself.

• DIY Disadvantages:
  • Time & Effort: Requires planning, shopping, building.
  • Skill Needed: Basic DIY skills are necessary for safe construction.
  • Safety Risk: Higher risk if design, materials, or construction is poor.
  • Aesthetics: Usually looks homemade.

• Buying Advantages:
  • Convenience: Setup is fast. Unbox and assemble.
  • Design: Engineered for safety and stability. Often includes features like target sheets, ball returns, or easy folding.
  • Warranty: Some commercial nets offer warranties.
  • Portability: Many bought nets fold compactly for storage or transport.

• Buying Disadvantages:
  • Higher Cost: Especially for large, durable nets.
  • Less Customisable: Limited to standard sizes and shapes.
  • Harder to Repair: Proprietary parts can be difficult to replace.

• When Buying Makes More Sense:
  • You need a practice net quickly.
  • You lack DIY skills, tools, or time.
  • Portability is essential (frequent setup/takedown).
  • You want specific features (automatic ball return, branded targets).
  • You are unsure about building a safe structure.
  • You only need a small chipping net (DIY savings are smaller).

Building your golf practice net offers great value. Focus on housing the net safely for your own safety, choose the proper materials, and design for your space. Follow the steps for a simple frame or explore space-saving garage mounts.

Decide if DIY fits your skills and budget, or if buying a pre-made net is better for you. Enjoy practicing at home!

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!