Setting up a golf simulator at home can be a complicated task, particularly when you have to decide whether to purchase a golf impact screen or a golf hitting net because it shapes your overall golfing experience on your simulator setup.
As both of them come with pros and cons, most golfers are puzzled when making a decision.
However, there’s no need to panic because we’re going to take a look at various aspects of an impact screen and a golf-hitting net in this conclusive guide so that you can make an informed decision.
Let’s hop into it!
Important Things to Consider Before Choosing One
Before we explore the different aspects of golf impact screens and golf hitting nets, let me put some light on the important factors that you need to consider when making a choice.
If your preferred option filters through these factors, I’ll give it a green signal.
Impact Resistance & Soundproofing
The prime purpose of installing an impact screen or a golf net is to reduce the bounce back of high-speed golf balls by providing impact resistance.
Your preferred choice should be sturdy and flexible enough to stop the ball at the point of contact by absorbing most of its kinetic energy.
In addition, the screen should be able to absorb most of the sound produced by the ball.
Image Quality
The next thing you need to consider is the image quality because a screen with poor image quality is nothing but a waste of money.
A good golf screen or net not only carries out a bright, crisp, and vibrant image of the projection but also has a smooth finish.
Durability
Durability is determined by the impact screen’s material, and if you will not get your material right, things may go out of control.
Your preferred choice should be solid enough to tackle golf balls for at least three to five years without showing any sign of wear and tear.
Another thing that happens to most impact screens and nets is puckering. Make sure this doesn’t happen to yours.
Golf Impact Screen: Pros & Cons
Golf impact screens are considered an important part of a proper golf simulator setup because of their outstanding qualities; however, nothing is perfect, and so are the screens.
Pros of a Golf Impact Screen
The major advantage of an impact screen is that it allows full golf simulator immersion so you can practice all aspects of golf.
It also allows you to align your shots to the center of the screen, which improves your aim.
Furthermore, you can play unlimited stimulated courses which amplifies your overall experience and allows you to put more work into your practice sessions.
When it comes to image quality, the impact screen is second to none because of its bright white surface, which is smooth enough to provide a high-quality and vibrant image of the projection.
The impact resistance of the golf impact screen is also commendable; however, in some cases where the screen is too taut, you may experience a rapid bounce back, but this only depends on how you hang your impact screen.
Another advantage of a golf impact screen is its durability, which lets you play your desired shots without the fear of damaging them.
Cons of Golf Impact Screen
When we talk about the downsides of golf impact screens, noise comes out on top. Most impact screens are made solid for durability, which results in poor soundproofing quality.
Next is the aspect ratio. In most cases, the impact screen doesn’t display the proper image because of the wrong aspect ratio, so you need to be precise about it while selecting your impact screen.
Mainitang the impact screen is also a critical task because it tends to get dirty after regular practice sessions. Hence, proper cleaning is mandatory.
Lastly, the measurements and installation can be complex if you didn’t plan it properly. A golf impact screen requires a proper enclosure frame and perfect hanging to perform at its full potential.
If you get it wrong, you may need to do it all over again.
Golf Hitting Net: Pros & Cons
Golf-hitting nets are a good alternative to impact screens, and to my surprise, they have some advantages; however, these perks come at the cost of drawbacks.
Pros of Golf Hitting Net
Golf hitting nets have lower stiffness than impact screens which allows them to provide better impact resistance and minimal bounceback.
This also enhances their ability to absorb most of the noise produced as the golf ball contacts them, resulting in better soundproofing quality.
In addition, the build quality of golf hitting nets is also worth noting, which allows you to make a solid arrangement using double or triple layers of the material for enhanced life.
Another perk of using a golf net is that you don’t need to build a proper enclosure frame, so it’s easy to install. Furthermore, you don’t need to worry much about screen puckering as there are no image distortion concerns.
Golf hitting nets are portable and can be used in outdoor hitting bays.
Cons of Golf Hitting Net
Although a golf net compensates for most of the impact screens’ features, if we look at the bigger picture, it doesn’t enable you to achieve the same level.
As there’s less immersion, the possibility to practice golf at your full potential reduces, and the basic purpose of building a golf simulator setup is sabotaged.
Furthermore, a golf net isn’t smooth enough to provide a clear and vibrant image, so you’ll have to compromise with what you have.
Lastly, golf hitting nets tend to collect dust even more than impact screens because of their crisscross pattern so you need to clean them more often.
Space Considerations
Space is an important factor in deciding whether you should go for an impact screen or a golf net.
A golf impact screen requires a proper enclosure with precise measurements, and if you don’t have that space in your place, you need to make some permanent changes.
In addition, impact screens can potentially produce bounce back, and you’ll need to maintain a distance between you and the screen while practicing, which again forces you to have a larger room for it.
On the other hand, golf-hitting nets need no enclosure, and there is minimal bounce back. So as long as you want to swing freely and hit the golf balls, a small space will do good.
Watch this YouTube video from Carl’s Place to have more insights on space considerations:
Cost Considerations
Besides what you prefer, cost decides what you’re going to buy because, in the end, you’ll need to have enough money for your choices.
Before comparing the cost of a golf impact screen to a golf net, I want you to understand that it not only includes the price you’re going to pay for buying one but also includes the enclosure and fitting costs.
A golf impact screen itself is a pricey option, and if you include the enclosure frame and fitting costs, the total sum goes somewhere around $3,000.
Meanwhile, a golf net is a cheaper option, and you can go more economical by purchasing one without an enclosure and doing a DIY fitting.
If you’re getting one with an enclosure and paying for the fitting, the total amount will be around $1,000–$1,500.
Now with this price gap, I’ll recommend you to go for an impact screen only if you’re too invested in golf and know the core purpose of getting one.
For those who just want to hit golf balls, a golf net is enough.
Best Overall Golf Impact Screen: SwingBay Golf Simulator Screen & Enclosure
Pros
✅Smooth & crisp display
✅Premium build
✅Takes impacts of up to 250 mph
✅Blackout sides and upper walls
✅Protects impact screen from external light
Cons
❌ Highly priced
For more info on golf impact screens, jump into this article.
Best Overall Golf Hitting Net: The Net Return Pro Series V2 Multi-Sport
Pros
✅ Automatic ball return feature
✅ Durable aluminum frame
✅ UV-protected polyester netting
✅ Easy storage
✅ Can be used indoors and outdoors
✅ Can be used with a home simulator
Cons
❌ Expensive
Want some more options? Hop into this one-stop guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be used as a golf impact screen?
Typically, a golf impact screen is made of polyester and kevlar material. But you can also take the budget route by using mesh nets instead.
Will a polyester mesh impact screen stop a golf ball?
Yes. Polyester mesh is great at stopping golf balls and absorbing their impact. That’s why it’s the most used material for creating impact screens.
Are golf-hitting nets worth it?
Golf hitting nets are an affordable solution for improving your swing that can be used with both the simulator system and the outdoor hitting bays. They can also be used as an alternative to golf impact screens.
Final Verdict: What Should You Choose?
Now that we’ve done a detailed comparative discussion on golf impact screens and golf nets, now is the time to choose the one for you.
If you’re the type of guy who doesn’t care much about aesthetics, details, and practicalities and only wants to practice golf on a suitable and economical setup, there is nothing as good as a golf net for you.
However, if you’re a nerd with enough money in your pocket to afford an impact screen, you should buy one straight away because it opens many possibilities for a golfer to have a full-fledged golf simulator experience.
Still indecisive? Hop into the comment section.
Happy golfing!