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Golfers should be practicing and hitting balls at least three times per week if they’re serious about improving their game. For those that simply want to maintain their current level, once or twice a week could be enough for that.

When deciding how often you should practice golf, consider the number of practice sessions, the duration, and the type.

1. Days Per Week

Three practice sessions per week are ideal.

This goes beyond just hitting golf balls at the range and should include putting green and chipping green. If you are looking for real improvement in your game, ensure that you incorporate drills that help with ball flight, distance, control, and more.

I always liked to try and get some video of my swing technique or even use a launch monitor to measure swing speed and other data parameters. Doing this allowed for a more effective practice session.

2. Hours Per Practice Session

Now that we have practice frequency determined, it’s important to also consider practice duration.

The great thing about golf practice is that you don’t have to be out on the range for hours to develop muscle memory and make real changes in your golf game. In fact, some players have their best practice sessions when they keep it short.

Warm up for a few minutes and do some stretches, then hit five or ten golf balls and determine what you will work on. If your golf game has been good lately, simply focus on tempo and balance in your swing.

You may hit a bucket of balls and feel like that was all you needed, but other golfers will practice for hours without feeling like they accomplished what they needed. Most practice sessions only need to be about 30 to 45 minutes.

In this time frame, you can include both full swing practice and short game practice.

3. Type of Practice Session

Sometimes golf practice includes standing on the driving range and hitting one shot after another, but sometimes playing on the golf course can also count as practice.

If you are not playing a tournament round and instead going out on the golf course to practice different holes, it can lead to faster improvement.

Try to mix up the types of practice that you do. Sometimes you may want to just bring your 7 iron to the range and work on hitting it higher, lower, left, and right. Other times it may make sense to work on your long game or to head to the course and practice from 100 yards and in on the course.

To make the most significant changes on the golf course, you must be thinking about transferring your practice to your game. It’s not realistic to hit 15 drivers in a row; this will never happen to you on the golf course.

Instead, vary the shots you are hitting, work on different areas of your golf swing, and be smarter about the practice sessions you have.

How Often You Should Be Playing a Round of Golf

Many golfers wish that they could play golf every day of the week.

Although this concept may sound great, I can tell you that it is a bit exhausting. Golfers should remember that rest time is essential; any great instructor will be able to tell you that sometimes a break is necessary. Ideally, playing golf 2 to 3 times per week is the sweet spot for most people.

This certainly depends on your skill level as well as your free time.

18 Holes

Try to play 18 holes of golf at least once or twice weekly. If you are not playing this many times at a minimum, it becomes difficult to get anything good going as far as progress in your game.

Progress comes from consistency and dedication, and when you play golf twice per month, with not much practice mixed in, you won’t see that consistency.

9 Holes

9 hole rounds are a great option to add in when you are short on time. Many golf courses even offer a twilight rate on 9 holes. If you thought your days to play golf were just Saturday and Sunday, maybe you can fit in a 9 hole round on a Wednesday afternoon.

It can be hard to get friends and playing partners organized for a midweek 9 hole round. Therefore this is the perfect situation to use for a practice session. Play two golf balls if you are out there by yourself. Try to keep score on both golf balls to see how you do.

While you are out there, focus on the areas of the course that give you trouble and start paying attention to your course management and the golf swing flaws that you may have.

Practice Round

It can be hard to find a place to get a practice round of golf in. Many golf courses are booked with tee times from the start of the day to the end of the night. However, if you can potentially get out as a single to work on your game, it will really pay off.

The best tips I can give you for this practice round are to look for the first or last tee times of the day. Sometimes if you go out really early, there will be no other golfers ready to play and you can head out there and really work on your game.

The last tee time of the day means the golf course will be emptying out, and you may also get a quick practice round in. I know how hard this can be to find an opportunity. I have been known to head out on the golf course in a bit of rain to get this done; most golfers leave but if you have the right gear, playing in the rain is not all that bad.

Should You Focus More on Practice or Playing to Improve Your Game?

When people try to lose weight, they have to find the perfect balance between diet and exercise. Without this proper combination, they may have no success and feel as though the diet is failing them. Golf practice and improvement are exactly the same.

If you want to improve your golf game, you must find the perfect balance of practice and play. For me, this is two rounds of golf per week that are competitive (even if just against friends), one round of golf that is a practice type round where I think more, and then two to three good practice sessions.

Sometimes those practice sessions are before or after a round; other times, they are going to be on my off days. There is certainly no perfect amount of time to spend on the range or the course. Some golfers that have injuries or issues with their back can only practice once per week.

The bottom line is to see what your body can handle and see how your golf game is progressing. Pay close attention to your scores and the way that your practice and playing schedule is impacting your scores.

If you are playing golf four days a week, but your handicap is going up, it may be time to back it down a little, and turn one of those rounds into a practice session.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1

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Updated on January 4, 2026

Finding time to make it to the driving range during the week is a challenge for busy professionals and often leads to them neglecting practice.

By adding a golf practice net to your accessories, you afford yourself the chance to practice frequently and improve the weaker areas of your swing.

In this post, I end this travesty and reveal the 8 best golf practice nets to use indoors or outdoors. You’ll notice that most nets on this list are best equipped for long and mid-game practice. However, I took the liberty of adding two picks concerning the short game.

Once you have decided on your preferred golf practice net, learn our 11 fun ways to practice golf in your backyard.

What You Should Be Looking for in a Good Golf Practice Net

When searching for the best golf practice nets, I suggest focusing on durability, width, and a target. The durability of the net is vital, as it determines how quickly it can break rapid ball speeds to bring your dimples to a stop.

Next, I suggest a practice net, that is a minimum of 10 feet wide to stop hooks and slices from the average golfer. The added width of the net works hard to halt your golf ball from veering off course and damaging your property.

Finally, it helps when your practice net is fitted with a target, adding purpose to your training. A target to aim at stops you from aimlessly whacking balls without understanding their direction or shape.

The 6 Best Golf Practice Nets

1. Tohifer (10 x 7 ft) – Overall Best Golf Practice Net

Pros

• It includes an artificial turf mat, a rubber tee and golf balls
• The net features an enlarged target to improve your long and mid-game accuracy
• 3 chipping targets help you master your short game
• A durable duffel bag makes it easy to transport
• High strength netting

Cons

• The turf mat is tiny, and some players may wish to purchase one with wider specs
• Players over 6-foot may bump their head on the top of the soft enclosure, when standing upright

The Tohifer 10 x 7-foot practice net is my top golf-hitting net selection for its all-around features. Unlike many products on this list, the Tohifer includes a hitting mat, rubber tee, and targets for long, mid, and short-game training.

More than a net, this Tohifer construction offers an entire enclosure to catch wayward shots and prevent ricochetting golf balls. I also appreciated the inclusion of the artificial turf mat, rubber tee, five golf balls, and a durable duffel bag.

You’ll spot an enlarged target in the center of the net, designed to promote bullseyes with wood, hybrid, and iron shots. In addition, located above the centerpiece are three smaller slots built to catch accurate chips, flops, and pitches.

Furthermore, I noticed that the net held up well against powerful drives, fairway wood, and long iron shots, thanks to the 420D Oxford cloth. Finally, I felt it was a breeze to assemble inside and outdoors.

2. IUZEAI 10 x 10 ft – Best Budget Net For Golf Practice

Pros

• Super affordable
• Easy to setup inside and out
• The wide net catches severely wayward shots
• High strength net
• Use for multiple sports

Cons

• It is not equipped with a frame and stand
• There are no targets to help you improve your accuracy

In these moments of rising inflation, one could also use a bargain. The IUZEAI is the best golf net for players on a budget. It earns my applause for its durability, ease of setup, and width.

You’ll see that IUZEAI presents a wider-than-usual net, which helps catch hooks and slices before the ball causes damage to your property. Plus, the quality woven net contains high-strength nylon fiber to bring flying golf balls to an immediate halt.

The one drawback of this net is that it does not feature a frame, requiring you to fasten it to a solid structure. I find that a tree and cable ties do the trick, but you can also rely on the support of nearby poles.

Lastly, you’ll notice that the versatile design of the IUZEAI 10 x 10-foot net makes it suitable for other sports. For example, you can use it to practice your baseball hitting or pitching or work on your disc golf launch.

3. GoSports 10 x 7 ft – Best Practice Net For Beginners

Pros

• The wider net catches right and left misses
• Operates indoors and outside
• The central netting does well to stop your golf ball in its tracks
• Lightweight and easy to transport
• Simple to setup

Cons

• It does not feature any targets
• Weak around the edges, which can cause it to tear

As a beginner, you are prone to hooking or slicing the odd shot, which can cause damage to your property. That is why a wider net is recommended to catch those wayward strikes before they escape the nylon netting and fly through your lounge window. I found that the GoSports Golf practice net is the superior partner for high handicappers.

You’ll see that this hitting net features an extended 10-foot layout, built to catch right and left misses, habitual for beginners. I thought the lightweight yet sturdy frame was simple to set up and worked indoors and outside.

Moreover, you’ll notice that the center of the hitting net carries tough, reinforced nylon, which holds up against high-speed strikes.

However, as you move towards the outer part, the construction is weaker, and some users find that it eventually tears. I do not see this posing much of an issue with slower swing speeds.

4. Hit Run Steal Heavy Duty – Best Practice Net For Mid Handicappers

Pros

• Wide net
• Heavy-duty knotted netting catches and slows your ball down
• Durable frame
• Simple setup
• Portable

Cons

• There are no targets on the net
• It is expensive for a beginners net, with no targets

Mid-handicappers are not exempt from mishits, hooks, and slices. Just because your handicap is superior doesn’t mean you get it right every time. That is why a spacious, durable net is still recommended. The Hit Run Steal hitting net ticks all the boxes to make it the best option for mid-handicappers.

The net stretches 10 feet wide to provide ample coverage on all shots. I found that the extended width of the net was aptly supported by heavy-duty 7-ply knotted netting, which absorbed the impact comfortably. You’ll notice that it even stops powerful tee shots from high-swing speed golfers in its tracks.

I noticed that this practice net was easy to set up, and the duffel bag was made for superb portability. This makes it easy to take on vacation with you, ensuring you do not neglect your practice when you are away from the links.

Lastly, you’ll see that the Hit Run Steal hitting net sports a durable steel frame with fiberglass poles, which hold well in the wind. In addition, the robust structure enhances the longevity of the net.

5. GaGalileo Golf Cage – Best For Low Handicappers

Pros

• Premium design
• Works indoors and outdoors
• Includes a target
• High-quality, durable net
• Solid, sturdy frame

Cons

• Expensive
• A hitting mat is not included

Low handicappers looking to combine a hitting net with a golf simulator may appreciate the GaGalileo golf cage. The complete enclosure provides optimal protection indoors and outside, and it takes windows, plants, and trees out of play on the left and right.

The GaGalileo golf cage is among the best premium golf practice nets, thanks to its durability, easy setup, and target. You’ll see that the width, depth, and structure height are all 10 feet, giving you optimal room to play with.

The quality and sturdiness of the net impressed me, and it managed to neutralize the speed of my ball on impact, stop it dead, and prevent ricocheting. Besides the toughness of the net, I enjoyed the 5 x 6 ft target, which allowed me to work on my accuracy through the bag.

Lastly, I felt that the high-strength steel pipes and nylon connectors helped keep the enclosure grounded in most conditions. Plus, a 2-year warranty is attached to the frame should it warp for reasons beyond your control.

6. Callaway Golf Chip Shot Net – Best Net For Short Game Practice

Pros

• Specifically designed to improve your chipping
• Easy to setup
• Light and compact to transport
• Contains 3 holes to aim at
• Affordable

Cons

• You cannot use it to practice other parts of your golf game
• It struggles to remain upright in heavy wind

Closing out our review on the best golf practice net is the Callaway Golf Chip Shot net. As you can see, it is specifically designed to help you dial your chipping accuracy, reaching 25” x 25” when it is fully erect.

The net is equipped with 3 square holes that run vertically, giving you some leeway if you under or overcook your shot. Hit shots from different distances and try holding it with one bounce or a slam dunk. You’ll see that the position of the holes helps you train your trajectory and spin for pinpoint accuracy.

The 25” x 25” net is easy to carry, set up, and break down, allowing you to transport it anywhere. You’ll notice that since it takes up minimal space, you can even set it up in your office and get some practice on your lunch break.

Finally, when you decide to relocate the net or pop it into storage, you’ll notice that it collapses to a compact 12-inches.

FAQs

Is a Golf Practice Net Worth It?

Yes, in my experience, a golf practice net is worth it. You’ll notice that it gives you the freedom to practice your game whenever you have the time, which helps you improve your weaknesses and lower your handicap.

Instead of finding time to go to the driving range during the week, you can head straight home and work on your game for half an hour to an hour every day. You’ll notice that your increased training hours will start to pay dividends.

Can You Use Real Golf Balls with a Practice Net?

Yes, you can use real hard golf balls with a practice net, but it does depend on the durability of the nylon or polyester. However, most nets I have tested stand firm against a stand ionomer or urethane golf balls.

How Long Do Nets Typically Last?

I have found that a solid golf practice net can go for two years before the stitching unravels and the net becomes useless. However, a practice nets longevity depends on the strength of the material and the frame.

For example, affordable golf practice nets may carry weaker side barriers. If you consistently catch the edges of the net, then the material will wear and tear faster than usual, requiring you to seek a new structure.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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