Side Baffles vs Wider Net: Which? (2026)
Adding side baffles vs buying a wider net compared: stray shot containment, room width, cost and what actually stops a shank.
The short version
A wider net catches more of what you hit at it. Side baffles catch what goes sideways, which is what a shank does, and a shank does not go toward the net at all. If your misses are wide rather than off-centre, baffles are the fix. Buy baffles if you have marked a wall; buy a wider net if balls are missing the edges of the target area.
At a glance
| 7 ft Shank Net Side Barriers, 2 Pack | GoSports Simulator Turf, 10 x 6 ft | |
|---|---|---|
| Stops sideways misses | Yes | No |
| Stops off-centre strikes | Partly | No |
| Room width needed | More | Same |
| Protects walls | Yes | No |
| Setup | Freestanding or fixed | Rolled out |
| Cost | Moderate | Moderate |
Choose the 7 ft Shank Net Side Barriers, 2 Pack if…
You have found ball marks on a wall or a garage door. Shanks and heel strikes leave at roughly ninety degrees to your target line, which no amount of net width in front of you addresses.
Check 7 ft Shank Net Side Barriers, 2 Pack on Amazon
Choose the GoSports Simulator Turf, 10 x 6 ft if…
Containment is solved and the bay looks like a garage. Turf is what makes it feel like a golf space, and it is the cheapest cosmetic upgrade to a working setup.
Check GoSports Simulator Turf, 10 x 6 ft on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do stray shots actually go?
Sideways and low from shanks and heel strikes, and occasionally high off a thin iron. Sides and ceiling are the two areas most home setups leave exposed.
Do I need baffles if I have an enclosure?
Most enclosures include side containment, which is one of their main advantages over a bare net. Check the specification, since some are effectively just a frame and a screen.
What is behind the netting?
Worth thinking about. Netting stops the ball but a fast ball can still transmit force. Plywood or foam behind netting on a shared wall is cheap insurance.
Building a golf sim?
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