Anyone who has played golf for a long time knows the best way to become a better player is to practice. Sure, new equipment will help you improve shot distance and accuracy, but even with new gear, you need to practice to gain the biggest advantage from it. If you want to practice full shots with your woods and irons, you want to be at the driving range. But all golfers know that drives are only part of the game. Controlled chip shots around the green can make or break your round, and to improve these you need a golf chipping net.

You can improve this aspect of your game without having to travel to a course or driving range. With a chipping net, you can safely practice indoors at home, at the office, or in your backyard. You can even use real golf balls with most of these nets. Best of all, golf chipping nets are extremely portable: folding down to a small size for transport or storage.

If you’re ready to take your chip shot to the next level, read our buying guide to chipping nets below. If you’re ready to buy, check out our favorites.

Here are some things to consider when shopping for a golf chipping net.

The baskets are the targets inside the chipping net. The targets are important for getting the most out of the net. They give you  immediate feedback on the accuracy of your chip shots. If you hit the ball into a basket, it will catch the ball and hold it. If the ball strikes the net instead of a basket, it will fall to the ground. Chipping nets have one, two, or three baskets. Nets with more baskets give you more versatility in how you use the net, increasing its benefits. Certain styles of nets have a moveable basket, giving you even more targets.

Golf chipping nets use three different types of bases to support the net.

Legs: Some chipping nets sit several inches off the ground on legs that resemble those on a folding lawn chair. This design is portable and easy to take anywhere.

Wedge: A common type of chipping net has a wedge shape. The net stands upright and leans backward just a bit, supported by the bottom of the wedge. This shape folds down flat for transport.

A-frame: Other nets pull apart at the bottom, creating an A-frame shape. These nets fold flat, and you can adjust the angle of the front of the net that contains the baskets.

Golf chipping nets have a lot of similarities from product to product. However, there are a few features you can select to personalize your net.

Color: The frame of the chipping net comes in a variety of colors, including black, green, red, blue, and yellow. The netting is typically black. Some units ship with targets that are red, black, and white. The color of the net won’t improve your game, but it can give the net a fun look and make it easy to see from a distance.

Size: An average chipping net is about four feet square, but some nets measure nine square feet. A bigger net needs a sturdy frame to support the weight and the impact of the balls.

Frame: When calculating the space you’ll need for setting up the chipping net, don’t forget to calculate the frame’s size. As a general rule, the base of the frame has the same dimensions as the front of the net. Many frames are covered with canvas or nylon to add color and protect the metal or plastic.

Shape: You’ll primarily find two shapes of pop-up chipping nets. A square-ish net with a wedge or A-frame base is common. Other nets are circular, with legs or a wedge shape. The targets inside the frame can be squares or circles regardless of the overall shape of the net.

Angle: When you set up your net, you’ll notice that the face of the net containing the targets stands at an angle to the ground. Angles of 30° to 75° are common. An angle of 45° or less is helpful because you can improve your touch on chip shots.

Golf chipping nets don’t cost a lot. They’re significantly cheaper than large practice nets, which can cost a couple hundred dollars or more.

Inexpensive: The least expensive golf chipping nets cost $10 to $20. These nets may have only one basket, or they may be made of cheap materials. Typically, you’ll want to use foam or plastic balls with inexpensive nets.

Expensive: Higher-quality golf chipping nets cost $21 to $50. These nets should work with real golf balls, absorbing the impact without damage or collapse. Most of these nets have three baskets for multiple targets.

• Start close to the net. Gradually increase your distance from the net. Although it’s fun to try to hit the targets from a great distance, it’s better to start with closer shots. Master these and then start moving farther away. Starting with close shots is a smart warm-up drill, too.
• Use different clubs. Golfers typically use a pitching wedge or sand wedge when chipping during a round of golf. However, if you need to land the ball on the edge of the green and run it back to the hole, a 5-iron or 7-iron may work better. Practice with a variety of clubs when doing drills with your net.
• Don’t shoot at the net from an angle. It’s best to have the targets in the net directly in front of you when practicing. You want to gain a feel for hitting the ball squarely during these drills. If you’re standing at an angle to the net, you may develop some bad habits with your swing.
• Practice without a club. Hold a ball in your hands while mimicking your golf swing. Try to toss the ball into the target on the chipping net. This is a smart way to learn how to shift your weight properly when swinging with a less than full shot.
• Take your time when practicing. Rushing through a set of 20 balls as fast as you can won’t help your short game. Take the time to reset your stance after each shot. Go through your shot routine each time. Repeating a routine when practicing is the best way to succeed on the course.

If you’re seeking a golf chipping net that has some features not found on the nets in our matrix, we did consider a few other noteworthy products. If you’re looking for a very inexpensive net, the Galileo Golf Chipping Net delivers adequate performance with foam or plastic balls at a low price. For a little more money, you’ll appreciate the quality of the Callaway Golf Chip-Shot Chipping Net. Callaway manufactures some of the best golf gear on the market, so you can trust this net. For a durable design, we like the Jef World of Golf Collapsible Chipping Net. It sits on sturdy legs with a reinforced frame for maximum performance. Another clever design is found in the GoSports Chipster Range chipping net set. This consists of three individual nets of varying sizes, so you can set them at different distances for a more beneficial practice session.

Q. Are golf chipping nets made for indoor or outdoor use?
A. The majority of chipping nets are made for both indoor and outdoor use. Unless a net specifically says it’s made for indoor use only, you can safely use the net either indoors or outdoors.

Q. What other gear will I need with the golf chipping net?
A. You’ll need to supply your own golf balls and clubs. With a high-quality net, you can use real golf balls, but if you’re hitting indoors and worried about damage, consider using plastic or foam balls. You’ll likely want to invest in a mat. You’ll need to use a golf mat for indoor practice, and using a mat outdoors protects the grass.

Q. Can I take a chipping net to the course to practice?
A. Sure, as long as the course allows it. By chipping into the net around a practice green at a golf course, the balls won’t be scattered and difficult to retrieve later. However, the majority of golfers prefer to use the chipping net when practicing at home.

Q. How do I know if I have a portable chipping net?
A. Nearly all chipping nets are portable. The frames fold down to be flat, and the frames are usually lightweight so you can carry your net easily. Some frames even fold in on themselves to conserve space, like a windshield sun shade.