All golf nets will eventually fray and develop holes at some stage. But of course, when we invest in a golf net to improve our golf game, we definitely want it to last as long as possible.
Here are some tips from our experience on how you can extend the life of your own golf net. They will also help to keep your practice area safer as a result.
Before we start, let's first go through what are the biggest culprits of wear and tear on your net.
Culprits for Golf Net wear & tear
Friction with the ball
This may surprise you, but the friction generated by a spinning golf ball is by far the biggest killer of golf nets. Basically when you hit those high spinning wedge shots, your golf netting material is being repeatedly 'sawn' away by the golf ball.
And If you are using a ball that has seen a bit of action and is a bit scuffed up...ouch!
The Elements
Fact - all golf netting material will lose their strength over time. Having a golf net which is exposed to the elements will accelerate this process.
Having your golf net exposed to excessive UV will definitely speed up the aging process, even when your net is UV treated. We are in Australia after all...
Also persistent rain may cause your net to rot, especially if it's constructed using nylon material.
Ball Speed
Of course, a long driver will go through a golf net much faster than the average club golfer. For the average golfer, assuming that they have a decent golf net which has small mesh size and high strength material, ball speed is usually the straw that breaks the camel's back, after it's been slowly fraying due to friction and the elements.
How to extend the life of your golf net?
So now we know what are the biggest killers of golf nets, let's have a look at how we can make our golf nets last longer.
Watch out for scuffing / reduce scuffing
If you want to extend the life of your golf net, then you need to ensure you are not hitting balls that have too much scuffing. They will generate more friction than a ball which has a smooth surface, especially when you are hitting your shorter irons and wedges.
Also, if your net is being set up on a concrete floor, you can reduce the chances of your balls getting scuffed up by having something soft on the floor for the balls to land on.
Also consider using older wedges when you practice. Wedges with fresh grooves will tend to cut up the cover of the golf ball quicker.
Keep it away from the elements
If you have an outdoor set up, to reduce damage from UV and water, we highly recommend packing away the golf netting when it's not in use. Our large portable net can be taken down and put back up in a matter of minutes.
Use a Target Sheet or Baffle
Most shots will impact with the golf net in a concentrated area of the net whilst the rest of the net don't really see a lot of action.
Having some extra protection for the high impact zone will definitely help to extend the life of your golf net.
A target sheet or a baffle will do the job nicely. Not only will it protect your netting it will also give you something to aim at and provide feedback on your start direction.
Patch it up
Do you know you can actually patch up your golf net?
This can be a more cost effective way to get a bit more life out of your golf net.
If you want to give it a try then check out this video from the Backyard Golfer on how this can be done.
Get the right net for you
Finally, depending on your situation and your intended use of the golf net, we highly recommend getting a net that is appropriate for your needs. If you have a high swing speed or are looking to hit a lot of wedge shots, it might be worth the additional investment to get something that comes with a baffle/target sheet to take the bulk of the impact. Check out our range of golf nets - we are confident that we will have a product that suits your needs. Also refer to our Best Golf Nets for All Budgets in Australia - A Golf Net Buying Guide if you want to get a feel for the different types of golf net products that are available for purchase in Australia.
So here are some of our tips on how you can extend the life of your golf net. Do you have any other tips? We'd love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact us, we would be grateful for your feedback!