practice nets...

[bigfoot1985]

has anyone got one that they use in the garden?

I have been thinking about getting one, the only thing i dont like about them is you dont see the flight of your ball so does having a net really help your golf??!!

 

[RGDave]

I'd say next to pointless. A few balls before a game, why not?
Extended use of a net strikes me as playing with fire.

 

[G1BB0]

Agree with Dave, I think nets are ok for warming up but I wouldnt want to use them for any actual lengthy practice as theres not a lot you can get not being able to see the ball flight

 

[Region3]

If used exclusively I'd agree, but I think they have a use if nothing else is available.
After all, swing change instruction is often accompanied by "don't worry where the ball is going to start with, it will get worse before it gets better".

Also, I think you can tell (without seeing the flight) if a ball has come off the sweet spot, and if it hasn't, if it was out of the heel, toe, or thin.
If that's too vague you could also use impact tape on the face.

I'm happy with my swing now, but my ball striking isn't as consistent as I'd like and I'd love access to a net in the garden to use a few times a week.

 

[haplesshacker]

I'd agree with the above. Great for a bit of limited time practice to help with the tempo, but not for extended periods as already mentioned. You can't see the ball flight.

If you only play once a week or so, then they have their place.

 

[Mattyboy]

I have one in my back garden. Where else can I hit balls at 2am?

Its all about the strike for me. Making sure I get the feeling of compressing the ball off of the mat.I use it most days but only for about 15 minutes each time.

Personally, I also think it can be beneficial not to see where the ball goes, if say you are working on a feeling. You will not initially hit each ball flush and seeing where they go would discourage a change.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not for me. I prefer to see how the shot flies for proper feedback. You can flush one out of the sweetspot but if you've put hook or slice spin on you'll never know in a net

 

[Khamelion]

I've got a net, used along with my digi camera, I can film my swing, review and try again and for that purpose seeing the flight of the ball is immaterial, though I do agree seeing the flight of the ball is useful.

cheers
Dave