Final Reviews: Spornia SPG8 XL Net

Sporina SPG-8 XL Net – Official MGS Forum Review by mynerds

Introduction - May 31, 2022

A full introduction can be found in the comments section.

Thank you to Sporina and MyGolfSpy for this amazing testing opportunity!

Hello! My name is Mark, I am a high-handicap player near Chicago and have played golf mostly in social contexts like Top Golf and par 3 courses for a few decades. I am a natural righty, but golf lefty. By day, I work as a cybersecurity consultant. By night, I am husband, dad, and fur-dad to these three:

My daily schedule is chaotic with both my wife and I juggling full-time jobs and chasing around our sassy toddler, so I am not always in control of when I get to practice.  When I can find time to get to the range, I find myself trying to “get my money’s worth” and hit as many balls as possible even when slower, shorter, deliberate practice would be more beneficial. I will be testing the net both indoors and outdoors, and tracking any discernible improvement to my golf game that regular, frequent practice may bring.

I’m extremely excited to test the Sporina SPG-8 XL Net and have high expectations given the SPG-7’s status as MGS’ Best Golf Hitting Net 2021.

First Impressions (4 out of 5)

My full first impressions can be found in the comments section.

The shipping weight of the product is 30lbs. For reference, below is the package up against my sedan and all 5'10" of my wiry self with the unboxed net in the carrying bag.

My first point of inspection was the quality of stitching on the bag. Unfortunately I spotted areas with less-than-stellar stitching and several spots with loose or frayed threads:

I also inspected the quality of the roof pole channel which was a weak point for the SPG-7. It was the thinnest material on the SPG-8 by far - even thinner than the material for the bag. Despite the thinness of the material, the roof pole channel did not tear though I did find threading the roof pole challenging.

Taped to the outside of the box in a "packing slip" container was not a packing slip but instead a supplemental instruction and warning that "the spring steel opens forcefully" and that set up should occur "far away from people vehicles, and structures." Typos galore aside, this warning should be heeded.



Minus one star for the stitching issues and the thin roof pole channel material, despite its previously documented weakness.

Aesthetics (5 out of 5)

With everything set up, it became clear that the "XL" is no misnomer. It is difficult to adequately describe how imposing this thing is.

There are a few temporary hitting nets in my neighbors’ yards. To me, other nets seem like toys and the SPG-8 seems more like a tool. I love the look of the net and didn’t mind leaving it out for prolonged periods of time. Even as a "portable" net, I wanted to minimize my setup time. I shared some details on how I’ve left the net mostly assembled while retaining my garage parking space in the comments.

The Numbers (3 out of 5)

At the beginning of the test, I expected the SPG-8 to catch every single ball. Unfortunately, it did not meet this expectation. I kept count of every single ball that I hit, balls which were caught but bounced out of the net, and balls that missed the net entirely. Out of 600 balls hit, 27 (4.5%) were caught but bounced out of the net, and 2 missed the net entirely. Further, 3 balls were caught by the net but still managed to contact the wall behind it, more than a foot away. While the wall was not damaged, there are small indentations and marks on the drywall.

Spornia lists “Ball rolls gently down not touching the floors” as a “main feature” of the product. They make smaller nets (presumably for better players) and, as their largest and most expensive option, I expected it to contain all my shots. Minus 1 star each for the ~5% of balls that bounced out of the net, and for the balls that missed the net entirely.

On the Course (5 out of 5)

Did use of the net translate to improvements on the course? I’ve gained confidence in my irons, improved my dispersion, and am carrying the ball 15 yards further than a month ago. Here is Rapsodo's analysis of a session using my 9i compared from a month ago (left) to this week (right).

In terms of results, I played my personal best round at the local municipal 9-hole and (using the WHS adjusted gross score) broke 50 there for the first time and had my first true par on a par-4.

While the performance gains are a product of several things (see the next section), the net was the catalyst for bringing all the pieces together. Without question, I would not have seen these same improvements without the net.

The Good, the bad, the inbetween (3 out of 5)

By itself, I don’t believe any net alone is enough to improve your game. To achieve its full value, I needed to also purchase a launch monitor, quality hitting mat, and follow at home lessons/drills. Before purchasing the launch monitor specifically, I was developing bad habits hitting into the net that I only recognized once I was on the range. Once the launch monitor was in hand, I was able to recognize my mistakes and work towards correcting them.

Minus one star against Spornia’s main feature claim of “get instant feedback on your shots” – it just wasn’t true for me.

A quick note on the chipping net – I ended up using it only once. I already owned a small chipping net and if I’m working on my wedges, I’m just not going to spend the time attaching the Spornia net to the SPG-8. No fault of Spornia there, it just isn’t an important feature of the net to me.

The testers also fielded a few questions to customer support via MGS to clarify the purpose of white strap on the net, the Velcro straps, how to use the support ropes, and whether we were missing tie down stakes. Minus one star for unclear instructions and lack of customer service response. I’ll update with any future communications though.

Lastly, after getting used to the setup and takedown process I was able to reduce my setup time to 1:04 without the roof net and 3:17 with the roof net. Threading the roof channel really is the weakest aspect of the net.

Play it or Trade it? (5 out of 5)

Without question, I will be playing with the SPG-8 for the remainder of the season and am looking forward to its use indoors over the long Chicago winters. I will continue to improve my hitting area and hope to add heaters and possibly a projector to create a true indoor hitting simulator. Where breaking 100 seemed like a lofty goal 6 months ago, now breaking 90 seems like a potential goal for next year. Without this net, I don't believe that goal would be possible.

Conclusion (25 out of 30 stars)

Overall, the Spornia SPG-8 XL edition lives up to its name as an extra large hitting net. While the extra foot of coverage may benefit high handicappers like me who struggle with the occasional extremely off-center shot, even the XL edition missed a few of my shots that would have ended up in neighbors yards had I been outside at the time.

If you’re in the market for a hitting net, I would recommend the SPG-8 only if 1) cost isn’t your highest priority or 2) if you’re looking to use it as part of a golf simulator with their projector-friendly target sheet. Otherwise, I would recommend the SPG-7 instead, and use any cost savings towards a high quality hitting mat and/or indoor launch monitor for a complete at-home hitting experience.

Sporina SPG-8 XL Net – Official MGS Forum Review by cciciora13 

A full introduction can be found in the comments section.

Hello fellow MGS enthusiasts. First I want to thank MGS and Spornia for this wonderful opportunity. My name is Chris and I live with my wife in Franklin, WI. We also have a one year old golden retriever named Henry. I work as a physical therapist by day and play as about an 8-9 handicap whenever I can get out on the golf course.

  

Golf is a passion of mine but practicing was never one of my strong suits. I usually opt to play a round on the course instead of hitting the range so this will be interesting to see how hitting balls affects my game. Time is of the essence with our busy schedule so portability and easy assembly/disassembly is a must with this net. I have high expectations as it has big shoes to fill after the SPG-7’s was labeled MGS’ Best Golf Hitting Net 2021. I expect it to live up to the test. 

 

First Impressions  4/5 Stars

Full First Impression Can Be Found in Comment Section

Overall, The packaging in the box was pretty straight forward. The net came basically fully assembled in the box and was ready to go immediately after you took it out of the box. The carrying bag is nice to keep everything compact, but it is a little tight to get on and off the net repeatedly. Since I need to take down and put up the net every time I put up the net, I have ditched putting it in the carrying bag as it is too cumbersome.  

 

 

 
 

Aesthetics (4 out of 5 Stars)  

I’m not exactly sure what an ideal net should look like but this net fits the bill. I like the all black coloring of the net, tarp and the surrounding netting. It helps the net be less noticeable or distracting out of the corner of the eye when taking a swing. The white target on the tarp cloth and the white Velcro lines are also nice as they can be utilized to get lined up. The are really helpful in lining up my mat and the Garmin R10 behind the mat to ensure accurate readings. As I said in the first impressions- this net is BIG. At almost 35 lbs it is not the easiest to carry or fold down and times and will give you a workout to get it set up. The positive of it being big, is that you can feel no pressure swinging the golf club and worrying about missing the net. That allows for more realistic numbers on the Garmin R10 and allows for a full swing with swing speed without worrying about breaking something. I have shanked a couple of shots throughout my hundreds of shots of testing and had no issue with it missing the net, which was reassuring. If you were planning on utilizing a projector, I’m sure a screen could be added where the target is to allow for the video to be casted.  

 

 

The Numbers (4 out of 5 stars) 

• I have put a little over 750 balls into this net and the net seems to be holding up well. I noticed no damage to he tarp, or the netting. I have not had an instance where a ball might go thru the netting, and the return feature is nice. The ball seems to come right back to where it started. The initial set up and take down time was about 5 min. Set up was pretty straight forward, but the takedown took a little getting used to the process and following the steps correctly. I can now set up the net in a little over 1.5 min, and to take it down, a couple of minutes. It stores nicely in the garage. I just wish the directions were easier to follow as it seemed straight forward but needed to be done in a certain way. 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

On The Course 5 out of 5 stars) 

• As I said before, I absolutely love the net. It seems solidly made and have had no issue with the tarp, or the netting missing balls. The noise from hitting a ball into the net is muted, which I like as I don’t want to disrupt my neighbors. I don’t hit the ball super high, so I don’t utilize the roof net- which makes set up and take down a breeze. I purchased a Garmin R10 to go along with the net which makes my practice sessions a whole lot more meaningful. It seems to be translating to improvements in my game. The last 3 rounds I have played were scores of 75, 77, and a nine hole score of 37. It seems to have translated to my Ball striking as I have been striping them. The 8 foot net size is a little big, but I like the extra confidence it provides me in that you would really have to hit a poor shot to miss the net. The net fits perfectly in both my outside location on my patio, as well as in my garage and will allow me to hit balls during the colder months which I miss in Wisconsin.  
   

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The Good, the bad, the inbetween (4 out of 5 stars) 

• Is the $210 dollars worth it for the extra foot you gain between the SPG7 vs the SPG8? In my opinion no. You would need to really shank a ball in order to miss the net. I think the funds would be better spent on a quality golf mat to hit balls, or put towards a simulator to see feedback on your swing compared to just hitting balls aimlessly.  

 
 

Play it or Trade it? (5 out of 5 stars) 

• PLAY IT. I think this net is very versatile in both an indoor and outdoor set up. The ability to easily set up and take down the net makes the price point worth it. I also think that the tarp and netting is of high quality and should last a long time. I am really excited to now be able to hit golf balls during the cooler months and work on my game at the comfort of my own home. I highly recommend this net or the smaller SPG7 net by Spornia to anyone looking to work on their game at home.  

 

 
Conclusion 

This net is of high quality in terms of build, design, and set up/take down. It allows for easy use in both an indoor and outdoor setting, and is nice and compact when storing it in my garage. I hit 500 balls into the net over the course of my testing and had no issues with the net giving way or missing the net. Take down and set up takes a little getting used to and the directions could have been a little more descriptive. Is it worth the extra $200 bucks for the bigger net? In my opinion, No, but Spornia does make one dang good net!  
 
 Final Score 26 out of 30 stars 

 

Introduction

Full Intro Found Here

Hello fellow spies!  Before I get into this introduction, I want to thank MGS and Spornia for this amazing testing opportunity!  For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mike, or Goalie. 

 

I do currently have a hitting net that I got as a gift a few years back so I will be doing a compare and contrast throughout this review while just focusing specifically on reviewing the SPG8.  Some of the main areas I want to focus on during my testing are:

• Speed of setup
• Portability
• Durability (Driver ball speeds around 165 mph)
• Ability to handle “bad shots”
• Ability to handle wedge shots (height)
• Weather testing (wind, rain, etc.)

 

First Impressions (4 of 5 Stars)

When the SPG-8 XL first arrived, the first thing that shocked me was the size and weight of it.  I’m used to my 5 lbs. hitting net that rolls up into a little tent case.  When went to grab it off my porch, I did a double take!  When they said an XL net is coming, they meant XL.  The stated product weight of the SPG-8 XL is 30 lbs.  The height is actually one of the reasons I LOVED the net from the start.  The added height of it looked as if I could actually hit wedges into a practice net without them going over it!  The weight to me just meant there are solid materials holding this net together.

The only downside I’ve had from the first impressions was that the width has always been a concern.  We all hit bad golf shots, and I worried from the start if this net could keep in one of those.  (Spoiler alert: the answer is no it cannot.)

Aesthetics (4 out of 5 Stars)

If you look across the Spornia line of nets, you’ll notice all of them are basically identically in style. Mostly all black with a white target line on the bottom and a white target and logo on the target sheet.  This is a great look and the branding is really well done so that everyone will know what brand you’re using without being a distraction to the hitter. 

If you are wanting to use a projector with this hitting net, you can switch out that target sheet for an all-white one on their website ranging anywhere from $40 - $60 depending on which model you have at home. 

 

The reason I’m only giving this category a 4-star review is because of the chipping net that comes with the net.  The chipping net just appears to be an after thought in the design and production. You have this very well constructed net and then “here throw this circle on there with these four Velcro straps anywhere you want.”  I would like to see it integrated more in the design like have a designed hook in for it.  That why the placement will be exactly where it can be shown off the best and adding to the overall effect rather than taking away.

The Numbers (5 out of 5 stars)

 As I mentioned earlier on, I have been trying to get back into my groove where I was throwing darts at the end of the season.  To the point where a course forced me to alter my handicap even though every round that I’ve played had been accurately entered through the USGA.  I wanted to get that feeling back, which meant spending the time with my swing to find those feels again.  This net was easily able to do that for me!  A few weeks ago, I shot my lowest handicap index round in 2 years at an index of 15.7 and the week before that an index of 16.  In that round I started off -2 through 2!!

 

 

The lowest index I have on record is a 10 for context. 

 

 

As I’m now heading into the time of year that is very outing heavy for me, I feel confident that I’m trending in the right direction!  There are some things (putting) that this net can’t help me with that is still keeping my index above where it should be, but that is getting address and is separate from this review.

On The Course (4 out of 5 stars)

Obviously, this isn’t a product that we will take on the course and use.  This section is going to be dedicated to the over use of the product.  The two major tests for me with this product were:

• Can I hit a full LW into it and not go over the net?
• Will it handle “bad shots?”

The test with the LW went extremely well!  Typically, these types of nets are limited to 9 irons and up depending on your ball flight and other factors.  I started with my 9i and slowly worked my way down.  Hitting ½ and ¾ shots with each new club before I went for a full shot.  Once I was finally able to hit that LW, the target sheet was able to catch it with the overall height of the SPG-8 XL!  This is a HUGE plus for the usage of this product!  This meant I can fully practice any club in my bag without having to flight the ball down to ensure I didn’t send it over the net into the neighbor’s house.

 

With the “bad shots” test, I hit a few foam balls that I had laying around the house and just hit slight shanks.  I knew that they were going to exaggerate any strikes that I made due to their weight and overall product characteristics.  I didn’t feel like hitting a full swing with them would be representative of what an actual golf ball would do in that situation.  The SPG-8 did NOT keep in those foam balls.  Looking on Spornia’s website, you can purchase “extenders” that might be a good option for someone who extremely worries about this situation. 

https://spornia.com/collections/golf-hitting-net/products/side-protector-panel?variant=39853368049769

For $30, I believe this might help, but we all know it can never be a 100% fix.  There will always be that ONE shot that escapes the net that has us saying, “Don’t let me here glass!!”

The Good, the bad, the in-between (3 out of 5 stars)

The few main things that stick out to me in this miscellaneous category are:

• Not having to worry about hitting a support pole during my swing
• Instructions needing updated
• 2 stakes missing

In most dome style hitting nets, like the one I currently had, the support poles run right on the outside.  This means if you’re standing too close to the hitting net in fear of hitting a ball out of it, there is a good chance on your follow through, you could hit, and damage, one of those support poles.  With the SPG-8 XL, those areas of your follow through are just netting.  If you did happen to hit them, the likelihood of causing permanent damage is a LOT lower.

With the instructions I felt that there were a few items that weren’t really updated from the prior models, chipping net, white Velcro strips, and the stability strings.  As I mentioned earlier, the chipping net almost seemed like an after thought and the lack of instructions didn’t help the situation.  There were absolutely zero instructions mentioning anything about the chipping net.  It felt like it was a “here’s the net, you figure out where it goes.” 

The instructions also left out the purpose of the white Velcro strips towards the bottom front of the ball returner.  This question was asked in our group chat, and no one could determine what they were actually indeed to do.  I would recommend that the instructions have a labelling section calling different items out in them to help determine their use.

Lastly, the stability strings.  Upon setting up the SPG-8 for the first time, I noticed string tied in the eyelet of each side of the net.  Typically, with tents, those strings are used to help stabilize the structure and should be stretched out and staked into the ground.  When I went back into the bag, there were only 4 stakes in the bag and not 6.  I looked in the instructions and nothing in there mentioned those strings or even how many stakes you should have in the packaging.  I ended up ordering 2 additional stakes from Amazing to use for those strings.  I tried having them not staked in, but the net just didn’t feel as solid without them.

Play it or Trade it? (4 out of 5 stars)

I am 100% “playing” the SPG-8 XL!  I have actually already sold my old hitting net to a friend, so this is my one and only!  I will say that I do question the value of the product being $210 over that of the SPG-7 net.  The difference between the SPG-7 and SPG-8 XL is 1 cubic foot.  The SPG-7 is 7’x7’x7’ whereas the SPG-8 XL is 8’x8’x8’.  I know the extra height has allowed me to ensure I can hit my wedges, but is that really worth $210?  That is a question you will have to determine for yourself.

Conclusion

Overall, I think the SPG-8 XL is a great addition to the Spornia line-up!  While I do feel they need to update the instructions and packing materials, i.e. number of stakes, this net is amazing to hit into it.  I was able to hit everything from my LW up to my driver.  This is a net I could see pairing really well with a Skytrak system to create an in-home studio on a budget.  While the SPG-8 XL is a bit on the large and heavy side for portability, it still can be taken down and setup in mostly any place you have room to make a swing.

Final Score (24 out of 30 stars)
 

On 5/25/2022 at 9:30 AM, mynerds said:

If skying shots with my sand wedge to test the roof net risks putting holes in my garage ceiling, so be it!

Ill be impressed if you manage to hit over this net. With the attached top portion it should sit like 10.5' high (And the top is closer to you than the net portion). If you are hitting from 8-10 ft away from the net, you would need to be hitting at like a 60* angle off a tight lie from a range mat. Not saying its impossible, just that I'll be impressed! 

Introduction

Hello fellow spies!  Before I get into this introduction, I want to thank MGS and Spornia for this amazing testing opportunity!  For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mike, or Goalie. 

 I’ve been playing golf for about 8 years now, and have had the amazing privilege of being involved in testing since 2017 when I did my first review of Martin Chuck’s Tour Striker Academy.  During that time, I have continued to focus on improving my game as much as possible.  Last year, I ended the season playing as an 8 handicap at a course I regularly participate in outings.  Being in Indiana, it has taken a bit to get that swing back after this offseason.  This review will be amazing for that!

 Testing

Now to what you guys actually want to see!  I do currently have a hitting net that I got as a gift a few years back so I will be doing a compare and contrast throughout this review while just focusing specifically on reviewing the SPG8.  Some of the main areas I want to focus on during my testing are:

• Speed of setup
• Portability
• Durability (Driver ball speeds around 165 mph)
• Ability to handle “bad shots”
• Ability to handle wedge shots (height)
• Weather testing (wind, rain, etc.)

 Of course, I’ll always take suggestions/questions as we go along if any of you want to see a certain test!  Can’t wait to get this started!

Who has two thumbs and was eagerly waiting by the home office window for Fedex to arrive? This guy.

First Impressions

This thing is big. There's a pretty good chance that it's too big, but we'll see about that as the test progresses. The shipping weight is listed at 30lbs and while I don't have a scale readily available, I don't doubt its heft. For reference, below is the package up against my sedan and all 5'10" of my wiry self with the unboxed net in it's carrying bag. Compare the photo of me with what @sirchunksalot posted in his 2020 review, and its clear this is significantly larger.

Keeping up with the theme of following up on findings of previous reviews, my first point of inspection was the quality of stitching on the bag based on the issues reviewed by   @TR1PTIK. I did not see anything to the same degree that he did, but unfortunately I did spot some areas with less-than-stellar stitching and several spots with loose or frayed threads:

My second point of interest was in the quality of the roof pole channel mentioned by.. well... everyone. It felt like the thinnest material on the product by far. It felt even thinner than the material for the bag which surprised me. I broke out the calipers and measured a fold of both materials (to ensure I wasn't including the thickness of any stitching). The bag material measured out at 0.26 mm (meaning a true 0.13mm thickness) while the roof tube channel measured out at 0.18 (i.e. 0.09mm) - nearly 30% thinner:

This seems like an odd design decision to me given the seemingly readily available thicker bag material, but maybe the 0.09 thick channel material is in fact thicker than the SPG-7. If that's the case then I understand how it was a major problem in the past. I'll keep using it during this testing to see if durability has improved.

As for the claim that the poles have been upgraded, that appears to be true. Credit again to @sirchunksalot for graciously measuring the SPG-7 poles for us at 56 7/16" long and ~11.1125mm thick. The SPG-8 poles measure in at 64 3/4" long (+~13% length) and 13.63mm thick (+~19% thickness). For completeness, the roof poles measured in at 124 15/16"long  and 6.04mm thick.

One other note on material thickness - the folded target sheet itself measured in at whopping 1.18mm (i.e. .59mm). That might not sound like much, but the difference between the thickness of the bag and the target material feels similar to the difference between the material used for camping tents and a nice soft jersey t-shirt. Out of the gate, I have no concerns about the longevity of the target material.

Initial Setup

Taped to the outside of the box in a "packing slip" container was not a packing slip but instead a supplemental instruction and warning that "the spring steel opens forcefully" and that set up should occur "far away from people vehicles, and structures." Typos galore aside, this warning should be heeded. I had to jump out of the way when the net opened up. I will seriously have to be mindful to keep my daughter and dog away while this is being opened outdoors.

I had issues following the instructions in that I couldn't get the support poles into the correct eyelets. For one, the product shipped with ropes tied into the eyelets that the support poles were supposed to be inserted into. These ropes had to be moved for the support poled to fit. For another, I could only manage to get the pole into both eyelets by starting with the top eyelet, lifting the net forcefully, and sliding the pole into the ground eyelet while also stepping on the lower portion of the net. Maybe I'm a weakling, but this required more strength than I anticipated.

The roof channel, potentially as expected, was the most challenging part of the set up. The collapsible rod does not like to play nicely and requires a lot of finesse to fully thread through the channel. Once through though, it inserted into its eyelets with ease. With everything set up, it became clear that the "XL" is no misnomer. It really is difficult to adequately describe how imposing this thing is. I will measure assembled dimensions on my next use.

First Use

I am waiting on delivery of my 3 X 5 Country Club Elite Golf Mat from Costco but I wanted to at least take a few swings at the net. I opened a new box of MaxFli Tour, Matte White balls to commemorate the occasion. I took my first swing and shanked it right into the back left support pole leaving a nice mark on the ball. Sadly, the ball bounced out of the net and back at me.

Not a good start for me, or the net.

For my second shot, I hit it low and the ball came to rest just outside the net. Not sure if that's considered a catch or not, but let's call it a tie.

For my third shot, I set up my camera and tried to duplicate the same low burner. This time, the ball ended up stuck behind the target net. Not a good look for the ball return feature.

 

After hitting another ball, this one ended up rolling back down with the other so it doesn't seem like this is a real issue. Interesting ball behavior to me though!

I only hit a few more balls before trying to put the net back into it's storage bag. I expect that I will get better at the process over time, but it was a real wrestling match the first time out. I followed the printed instructions as best as I could but will likely need to go back and watch Sporina's videos before attempting again. Again, maybe I'm just a weakling but merely folding the net up was a workout:

That's all for today! I'm excited to test with the CCE mat once it arrives, and attempt to use the net outdoors with some of my friends and neighbors as well. I'm also looking forward to seeing if the other testers experience the same challenges I had.

1 hour ago, mynerds said:

Who has two thumbs and was eagerly waiting by the home office window for Fedex to arrive? This guy.

 

IMG_9139.MOV 17.28 MB · 0 downloads

First Impressions

This thing is big. There's a pretty good chance that it's too big, but we'll see about that as the test progresses. The shipping weight is listed at 30lbs and while I don't have a scale readily available, I don't doubt its heft. For reference, below is the package up against my sedan and all 5'10" of my wiry self with the unboxed net in it's carrying bag. Compare the photo of me with what @sirchunksalot posted in his 2020 review, and its clear this is significantly larger.

Keeping up with the theme of following up on findings of previous reviews, my first point of inspection was the quality of stitching on the bag based on the issues reviewed by   @TR1PTIK. I did not see anything to the same degree that he did, but unfortunately I did spot some areas with less-than-stellar stitching and several spots with loose or frayed threads:

My second point of interest was in the quality of the roof pole channel mentioned by.. well... everyone. It felt like the thinnest material on the product by far. It felt even thinner than the material for the bag which surprised me. I broke out the calipers and measured a fold of both materials (to ensure I wasn't including the thickness of any stitching). The bag material measured out at 0.26 mm (meaning a true 0.13mm thickness) while the roof tube channel measured out at 0.18 (i.e. 0.09mm) - nearly 30% thinner:

This seems like an odd design decision to me given the seemingly readily available thicker bag material, but maybe the 0.09 thick channel material is in fact thicker than the SPG-7. If that's the case then I understand how it was a major problem in the past. I'll keep using it during this testing to see if durability has improved.

As for the claim that the poles have been upgraded, that appears to be true. Credit again to @sirchunksalot for graciously measuring the SPG-7 poles for us at 56 7/16" long and ~11.1125mm thick. The SPG-8 poles measure in at 64 3/4" long (+~13% length) and 13.63mm thick (+~19% thickness). For completeness, the roof poles measured in at 124 15/16"long  and 6.04mm thick.

One other note on material thickness - the folded target sheet itself measured in at whopping 1.18mm (i.e. .59mm). That might not sound like much, but the difference between the thickness of the bag and the target material feels similar to the difference between the material used for camping tents and a nice soft jersey t-shirt. Out of the gate, I have no concerns about the longevity of the target material.

Initial Setup

Taped to the outside of the box in a "packing slip" container was not a packing slip but instead a supplemental instruction and warning that "the spring steel opens forcefully" and that set up should occur "far away from people vehicles, and structures." Typos galore aside, this warning should be heeded. I had to jump out of the way when the net opened up. I will seriously have to be mindful to keep my daughter and dog away while this is being opened outdoors.

I had issues following the instructions in that I couldn't get the support poles into the correct eyelets. For one, the product shipped with ropes tied into the eyelets that the support poles were supposed to be inserted into. These ropes had to be moved for the support poled to fit. For another, I could only manage to get the pole into both eyelets by starting with the top eyelet, lifting the net forcefully, and sliding the pole into the ground eyelet while also stepping on the lower portion of the net. Maybe I'm a weakling, but this required more strength than I anticipated.

The roof channel, potentially as expected, was the most challenging part of the set up. The collapsible rod does not like to play nicely and requires a lot of finesse to fully thread through the channel. Once through though, it inserted into its eyelets with ease. With everything set up, it became clear that the "XL" is no misnomer. It really is difficult to adequately describe how imposing this thing is. I will measure assembled dimensions on my next use.

First Use

I am waiting on delivery of my 3 X 5 Country Club Elite Golf Mat from Costco but I wanted to at least take a few swings at the net. I opened a new box of MaxFli Tour, Matte White balls to commemorate the occasion. I took my first swing and shanked it right into the back left support pole leaving a nice mark on the ball. Sadly, the ball bounced out of the net and back at me.

Not a good start for me, or the net.

For my second shot, I hit it low and the ball came to rest just outside the net. Not sure if that's considered a catch or not, but let's call it a tie.

For my third shot, I set up my camera and tried to duplicate the same low burner. This time, the ball ended up stuck behind the target net. Not a good look for the ball return feature.

 

IMG_9171.MOV 14.24 MB · 1 download  

After hitting another ball, this one ended up rolling back down with the other so it doesn't seem like this is a real issue. Interesting ball behavior to me though!

I only hit a few more balls before trying to put the net back into it's storage bag. I expect that I will get better at the process over time, but it was a real wrestling match the first time out. I followed the printed instructions as best as I could but will likely need to go back and watch Sporina's videos before attempting again. Again, maybe I'm just a weakling but merely folding the net up was a workout:

That's all for today! I'm excited to test with the CCE mat once it arrives, and attempt to use the net outdoors with some of my friends and neighbors as well. I'm also looking forward to seeing if the other testers experience the same challenges I had.

You did an excellent job starting your review and thank you for all the information you put into it. All I could think in that photo of you carrying the net was "does this net make me look small?". That bad boy is huge compared to the SPG7! 

I truly believe you'll enjoy it, and I think it'll be able to stop anything you throw its way. Just make sure to watch out for horribly thinned shots and those like you had off the support poles, you can get some that come back at you. I mostly had those with foam balls, so that's a positive. They can also get stopped behind the target like you saw and you can just walk around and give them a bump with your club to get them to roll back down. 

I'm looking forward to you getting your mat and really putting it to the test. 

Oh, almost forgot, you'll eventually be able to break it back down in a snap once you get used to how it folds up. I was fortunate that I used to have a hunting blind that was similar. 

Sporina SPG-8 XL Net – Official MGS Forum Review by cciciora13 

 

Hello fellow MGS enthusiasts. My name is Chris and I want to thank MGS and Spornia for this wonderful opportunity. I have been a long-time reader of MGS and the community truly feels like a home and I am honored to give back with this review.  

Introduction 

My wife and I currently reside in Franklin, WI just outside Milwaukee... (yes I’m a BEAR fan behind enemy lines). We also have a one year old golden retriever named Henry. I am originally from Chicago, IL and play some great golf courses between the two spots. When I’m not on the golf course, I work as a Physical Therapist. Golf has always been a passion of mine and I have been playing for about 20 yrs. (High School Golf Team and Marquette University club golf team as well). I’ve never carried an official handicap, but I would judge that I play at about an 8 handicap. I typically shoot in the upper 70’s to around 80, with a good day getting me in at 74/75. I rarely hit the range and instead try to get about 1 round in a week. I have always considered ball striking one of my strong suits and typically hit my Sub 70 irons fairly well. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wants and The Needs 

This is going to be a fun test. I’ve been wanting one of these for a while, but my wife wouldn’t let me pull the trigger. I plan on utilizing the net in both my garage and an open space in my backyard to see how it compares in both spaces.  

  

 

I ordered a country club elite golf mat to help launch the golf balls into the net. I plan to hit all clubs (DW through SW) into the net and will have my wife hit some balls as well (as she has a tendency to be a little more erratic LOL). I am really excited to see how easy this product is to fold open and closed for me. That is a key for me, especially if I plan to use it in my garage, as we normally keep our cars in there. It must be easy to assemble/disassemble and must be easy to store in order to fully give it a passing grade. Also, and this may seem obvious, it must catch all golf balls so I don’t end up breaking objects in my garage or my neighbors houses! Seeing as the previous model for this net was the 2021 best net winner I expect even more from the updated model. I’m excited to see how the bigger net looks and catches/returns balls as well the chipping net to help work on the short game. At a $499 price tag the durability should also be above par so I am interested to see how it holds up to repeated shots, as well as to see if it improves my game. I expect this to perform as well as the previous model but time will tell! 

Mine is supposed to come tomorrow. Can’t wait!

14 hours ago, sirchunksalot said:

You did an excellent job starting your review and thank you for all the information you put into it. All I could think in that photo of you carrying the net was "does this net make me look small?". That bad boy is huge compared to the SPG7! 

I truly believe you'll enjoy it, and I think it'll be able to stop anything you throw its way. Just make sure to watch out for horribly thinned shots and those like you had off the support poles, you can get some that come back at you. I mostly had those with foam balls, so that's a positive. They can also get stopped behind the target like you saw and you can just walk around and give them a bump with your club to get them to roll back down. 

I'm looking forward to you getting your mat and really putting it to the test. 

Oh, almost forgot, you'll eventually be able to break it back down in a snap once you get used to how it folds up. I was fortunate that I used to have a hunting blind that was similar. 

Hey thanks, that means a lot coming from you! To be honest, my goal is to meet the same level of engagement and feedback that you had for the SPG-7 test. I've admittedly not read through as many test reviews on the forum as others. Of what I have gone through completely, that thread was far and away my favorite.

You're right in that breaking it down has already gotten easier. I took it out to my front yard yesterday evening for a toddler test and had the neighborhood kids romp around in the ball return net and throw their various basketballs, volleyballs, etc.. around. It had no issues, and it went away much easier the second time around. I also think being outdoors instead of the garage made it feel less imposing to get together, so I'll be mindful of that going forward.

Great early reviews so far fellas, keep 'em coming! That is indeed a big net, from the looks of it I don't even think I'd be able to fit it in my garage.

FedEx left a present!!  I'm currently in the middle of month end close (accountant), but wanted to give a quick update.  I didn't want to open it just yet, as I wanted to do a time lapse video of how long this takes to set up straight out of the box with no prior knowledge of how this goes together.  I should be able to get that video completed, along with the first hits into it, this weekend!  More to come!!

 

18 hours ago, cciciora13 said:

Sporina SPG-8 XL Net – Official MGS Forum Review by cciciora13 

 

Hello fellow MGS enthusiasts. My name is Chris and I want to thank MGS and Spornia for this wonderful opportunity. I have been a long-time reader of MGS and the community truly feels like a home and I am honored to give back with this review.  

Introduction 

My wife and I currently reside in Franklin, WI just outside Milwaukee... (yes I’m a BEAR fan behind enemy lines). We also have a one year old golden retriever named Henry. I am originally from Chicago, IL and play some great golf courses between the two spots. When I’m not on the golf course, I work as a Physical Therapist. Golf has always been a passion of mine and I have been playing for about 20 yrs. (High School Golf Team and Marquette University club golf team as well). I’ve never carried an official handicap, but I would judge that I play at about an 8 handicap. I typically shoot in the upper 70’s to around 80, with a good day getting me in at 74/75. I rarely hit the range and instead try to get about 1 round in a week. I have always considered ball striking one of my strong suits and typically hit my Sub 70 irons fairly well. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wants and The Needs 

This is going to be a fun test. I’ve been wanting one of these for a while, but my wife wouldn’t let me pull the trigger. I plan on utilizing the net in both my garage and an open space in my backyard to see how it compares in both spaces.  

  

 

I ordered a country club elite golf mat to help launch the golf balls into the net. I plan to hit all clubs (DW through SW) into the net and will have my wife hit some balls as well (as she has a tendency to be a little more erratic LOL). I am really excited to see how easy this product is to fold open and closed for me. That is a key for me, especially if I plan to use it in my garage, as we normally keep our cars in there. It must be easy to assemble/disassemble and must be easy to store in order to fully give it a passing grade. Also, and this may seem obvious, it must catch all golf balls so I don’t end up breaking objects in my garage or my neighbors houses! Seeing as the previous model for this net was the 2021 best net winner I expect even more from the updated model. I’m excited to see how the bigger net looks and catches/returns balls as well the chipping net to help work on the short game. At a $499 price tag the durability should also be above par so I am interested to see how it holds up to repeated shots, as well as to see if it improves my game. I expect this to perform as well as the previous model but time will tell! 

Love the intro post and hopefully the net will meet your needs both in the yard and the garage. It takes a pretty errant shot to miss the net and with the size of the newer model, it seems like it'll be really hard to miss. Henry is beautiful and I love how he's just sitting there looking all dapper in his tie. 

7 hours ago, mynerds said:

Hey thanks, that means a lot coming from you! To be honest, my goal is to meet the same level of engagement and feedback that you had for the SPG-7 test. I've admittedly not read through as many test reviews on the forum as others. Of what I have gone through completely, that thread was far and away my favorite.

You're right in that breaking it down has already gotten easier. I took it out to my front yard yesterday evening for a toddler test and had the neighborhood kids romp around in the ball return net and throw their various basketballs, volleyballs, etc.. around. It had no issues, and it went away much easier the second time around. I also think being outdoors instead of the garage made it feel less imposing to get together, so I'll be mindful of that going forward.

It's good to hear you're getting the hang of setting it up and taking it down. It's surprising how easy it is to roll up, how do you find it is getting it back into the carrying case? 

Another question for all the testers: how much use do you all think you'll get out of the chipping basket?

4 hours ago, goaliewales14 said:

FedEx left a present!!  I'm currently in the middle of month end close (accountant), but wanted to give a quick update.  I didn't want to open it just yet, as I wanted to do a time lapse video of how long this takes to set up straight out of the box with no prior knowledge of how this goes together.  I should be able to get that video completed, along with the first hits into it, this weekend!  More to come!!

 

Good luck finishing up the end of the month tasks! I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of the net once things settle down. Your swing is looking good, btw, you've put in a lot of work with it and it looks like it's paying off. 

On 5/29/2022 at 7:20 PM, mynerds said:

As we await arrival of the SPG-8 this week, I have a favor to ask anyone with the SPG-7 / previous testers (@sirchunksalot @Rtracymog @Micah T @revkev @RichL85 @Ben_Howell34 @TR1PTIK)
 

1. The product page for the SPG-8 reads "SPG-8 XL Edition features a new, larger upgraded design specially built to withstand years of practice. By paying extra-close attention to detail, we’ve created a practice net that will help you realize the full potential of your new set up!" I've read the previous reviews and noted a few common areas of concern for the SPG-7. More than a few folks mentioned the sleeve for the roof pole being a potential weak point, and there were a few other comments related to quality of stitching and long term durability of other areas of the product. If you've held on to the product since your test, is there anything specifically about the SPG-8 you'd hope Sporina addressed?
    
2. I'm curious if there is a change in product materials or if any "upgrades" are strictly design related. If anyone has a set of calipers, I'd love to get outer diameter measurements of both the SPG-7's support poles and netting material itself. Alternatively, if you could take a photo of the support poles and netting against a measuring stick/tape measure/ruler, that would be greatly appreciated!

Next round is on me for anyone who responds and finds themself in the Chicago burbs!

I leave my net partially up in the corner of my garage year round. So I haven’t noticed any issues with the roof pole. Those who take it down and put it up each time have proven it’s an issue. The net has worn well, the only wear and tear is the impact/target sheid. I’ve shanked more than a few balls off the support poles without them showing any damage. If they changed nothing I’d still wager most would be completely satisfied; if they address the chipping roof support rod and sleeve it would be perfect, imo.

Here's a little teaser of what I've been working on today!

I will say, hit the net a few times over the weekend. Actually really simple to set up the first time and I think it will only get easier and more efficient the more I do it. I had an issue with closing it back down however.  For some reason I could not figure it out and was working up a sweat lol. Once I figured it out, I think it is fairly simple. It will just need a little more practice!

Guys - take a look at the stitching where the net meets the edge at the bottom behind the target screen.   My stitching has come loose… in the center of course.  So well struck balls roll down and are caught behind the screen in the net and don’t roll out. I hope I’m a one-off…

 

 

Stitching loose on the left, and intact on the right

  
 

You can see it’s all a little sun faded, as it sits outside all the time.  I just leave it folded flat and don’t do the taco fold every time  

 

I may have let my engineering mind run wild a bit. Inspired by the simulators-in-a-box and motivated by distaste for repetitive tasks, I wanted to see if there was a way to more quickly set up and take down the net in the garage.

Ive got the net secured using the same pulley system you use for hoisting bicycles to the garage ceiling. This also alleviates the need to rethread the roof pole. It doesn’t work as smooth as I’d like yet (more engineering required) but at the moment I can go from stored to swinging in 1:42. Not bad!

As for your comment @WaffleHouseTour, I don’t see the same issue on the net currently but will keep an eye out!

First Impression: 

Woo It arrived and yes I gave it a good first test this weekend! As mynerds posted above- Yes this net is BIG. Seems a lot heavier than 30lbs at times but I think it is just awkward to move at times when it is not in the neat carrying case.  

  

 

For reference- that is my 3x5 foot country club elite golf mat that the Spornia in its bag is sitting on. The bag does make it easier to move and store and was nice to keep every thing consolidated. I like putting it back in the bag when I’m done to protect the net and it makes it easier to store without things getting attached or stuck on the net.  

  

 Along with the net we were provided the cross bars, the bar for the roof, a chipping net, and some of the instructions. The instructions and pictures were okay but I think the video they provided was much easier to follow.  

 

I though the side bars holding the net up are of good quality and will seem to hold up for a longer time and period. They are nice and firm, thicker, and are easy to get in and out of their slots. The same can’t be said for the roof bar. I found it harder to get into the net due to a couple factors. 1) it is thinner 2) it has more junctions in it , which make it hard to slide through the tunnel. The second time I used the net I tried without the roof bar as I didn’t hit the ball anywhere near that high. We’ll see if that gets easier over time. 

 

 

 

 

The return system has worked great. The ball hits the tarp/target and then rolls right back down to the bottom of the net allowing for easy retrieval. Every now and again a ball will roll over the end at the bottom of the net, but it usually just stops right at the base of the mat. The tarp does a great job at deadening the impact of the ball and muffling the sound.  It is really hard to hear someone hitting golf unless you’re in the same room which is nice. The stitching seems to have arrived in good shape and I noticed no issues in craftsman ship there. It seems it should hold up from constantly being hit by golf balls.  

 

 

 

As I posted initially, the net was super easy to put up. I would say the first time took me less than 5 minutes. It was taking it down that was the issue. If you are planning to return it to its starting position in a circle by yourself it does take a little finessing and elbow grease to get back into position. The pictures were somewhat helpful, but the video on the card provided was much easier to follow. I will say the second and third time I did it, it was easier and more efficient. I’m excited to continue to work on it and get better at it.  

 

Overall, the net looks solid and appears to be performing well. The condensed folding helps with storage in my garage as we normally keep both cars in there. The tarp and net appear as if they’ll hold up for a prolonged period. I have hit every club in my bag so far with no issue. I like the workout it provides and have broken a sweat and got the HR up. I was able to get a Garmin Approach R10 simulator this week and look forward to testing that with the net. Stay tuned for future updates but I like what I see so far! 

Hey everyone!  For the "unboxing/setup" of the SPG8 net, I thought it would be fun to do a side-by-side video with commentary to break everything down.  

 

 

Here's the spark notes version of the video in case you just want a quick overview:

• Total Setup Time
  • My net ~ 8 mins
  • SPG8 ~ 13 mins (~10 mins w/out chipping net)
• Super easy to setup!
• Instructions need to be updated to include chipping net and "support strings on the side"
  • Felt like it's missing 2 stakes for the support strings
• Overall great product so far and look forward to continue the test!!

On 5/29/2022 at 9:20 PM, mynerds said:

As we await arrival of the SPG-8 this week, I have a favor to ask anyone with the SPG-7 / previous testers (@sirchunksalot @Rtracymog @Micah T @revkev @RichL85 @Ben_Howell34 @TR1PTIK)
 

1. The product page for the SPG-8 reads "SPG-8 XL Edition features a new, larger upgraded design specially built to withstand years of practice. By paying extra-close attention to detail, we’ve created a practice net that will help you realize the full potential of your new set up!" I've read the previous reviews and noted a few common areas of concern for the SPG-7. More than a few folks mentioned the sleeve for the roof pole being a potential weak point, and there were a few other comments related to quality of stitching and long term durability of other areas of the product. If you've held on to the product since your test, is there anything specifically about the SPG-8 you'd hope Sporina addressed?
    
2. I'm curious if there is a change in product materials or if any "upgrades" are strictly design related. If anyone has a set of calipers, I'd love to get outer diameter measurements of both the SPG-7's support poles and netting material itself. Alternatively, if you could take a photo of the support poles and netting against a measuring stick/tape measure/ruler, that would be greatly appreciated!

Next round is on me for anyone who responds and finds themself in the Chicago burbs!

I've never really had any issues with mine. Taking down the roof hasn't been an issue. I have noticed that the ball catching netting at the bottom has gotten a little loose. Instead of it trapping balls, they tend to run back to my feet. I think that I've tried to stretch mine a bit with some success.

On 6/6/2022 at 11:07 AM, WaffleHouseTour said:

Guys - take a look at the stitching where the net meets the edge at the bottom behind the target screen.   My stitching has come loose… in the center of course.  So well struck balls roll down and are caught behind the screen in the net and don’t roll out. I hope I’m a one-off…

 

 

Stitching loose on the left, and intact on the right

  
 

You can see it’s all a little sun faded, as it sits outside all the time.  I just leave it folded flat and don’t do the taco fold every time  

 

My net has this same issue.  I actually re-sewed as best I could as it is really annoying.  I also didn't want it to get worse.  Hoping the 8 does better.

Hey everyone!  Wanted to give some comments on my first hits into the SPG8 XL.  The thing I'm really impressed with is the height of this net!  In the pictures below I'm hitting a 3/4 9i and you'll notice that with the SPG8 the shot hits right on the bottom of the target.  With my old net, it hits almost at the top of the net.  The biggest issue with some of the nets I've seen in the past is you can't hit any wedges at all, including PW.  I'm only using P760s, so it's nothing the launches super high or anything.  The other thing that I love is that if you were to accidentally get too close to the net, you won't structurally damage the net with a normal swing.  With the dome style, there's a very good chance you'll hit a support pole and break the whole thing.  Here, you'll just hit netting.

 

After a few times this thing is much easier to set up and take down! I can now take it down and fold it up in about a minute or two. Super convenient when I have to store it in the garage. It is so easy to tuck out of the way but I’m really impressed with how it captures golf balls as well.

You've heard about the takedown process and what better way than to show you!  I would HIGHLY recommend watching the YouTube video first before doing this, otherwise I feel like it won't make as much sense.  Once you have it down, it's very quick.  My only negative comments would be when you're putting the net back into the bag, the net can catch onto the velcro straps that help close the bag.  I feel like this could lead to some fraying of the net.  If it had a drawstring, I feel like it would be much easier.  It actually may not even need anything given the weight of the net.  The SPG8 continues to impress me though!!

 

 

23 hours ago, goaliewales14 said:

You've heard about the takedown process and what better way than to show you!  I would HIGHLY recommend watching the YouTube video first before doing this, otherwise I feel like it won't make as much sense.  Once you have it down, it's very quick.  My only negative comments would be when you're putting the net back into the bag, the net can catch onto the velcro straps that help close the bag.  I feel like this could lead to some fraying of the net.  If it had a drawstring, I feel like it would be much easier.  It actually may not even need anything given the weight of the net.  The SPG8 continues to impress me though!!

 

 

Great video thanks for that ... I have to say however that the entire time I watched it I kept hearing the Benny Hill theme playing in my head. 

On 6/10/2022 at 12:03 AM, goaliewales14 said:

You've heard about the takedown process and what better way than to show you!  I would HIGHLY recommend watching the YouTube video first before doing this, otherwise I feel like it won't make as much sense.  Once you have it down, it's very quick.  My only negative comments would be when you're putting the net back into the bag, the net can catch onto the velcro straps that help close the bag.  I feel like this could lead to some fraying of the net.  If it had a drawstring, I feel like it would be much easier.  It actually may not even need anything given the weight of the net.  The SPG8 continues to impress me though!!

 

 

Great video @goaliewales14! I can honestly say you showed me something I hadn't thought about in putting the net back in the carrying case. I'll usually hold the net between my legs and bring the bag in from the top, I haven't tried leaving it on the ground before. That looks so much easier to do. 

Keep up the great work everyone!

On 6/8/2022 at 7:38 AM, gmmiddle said:

My net has this same issue.  I actually re-sewed as best I could as it is really annoying.  I also didn't want it to get worse.  Hoping the 8 does better.

When I reached out to customer service they suggested using a book ring or something like that to pull the netting close together… uh huh…. Seems to be a known issue. I’m going to try and figure out some sort of fix w velcro strips. Will post picts if it works.

Would love to tear this in my mountain home in the trees.  Nearest range is 25 miles at club.  

I would LOVE to try one of these... I have a hitting mat, but no net and the neighbors frown on golf balls hitting their houses 

I have built  a large net built off batting cage material now. Would be great to compare. 

I have the space and the need to practice more. Would be nice to try something that could be used outdoors as well as in the garage during the winter.

 

 

I usually go to a range with good chipping and approach facilities. But I was looking for way the practice at home since I've moved to a place with LOTS of space and a large garage for indoor use. I also have the 3bays swing analyzer and really look at the ball flight as much as I can't see the ball flight most of the time. So I was looking for a net to hit into , but this net being offered has the advantage of targets for hitting into and as chipping targets which is a definite plus. Fingers crossed as I'd love to try it. 

I just took down a practice  net in my garage which I made a few years ago and I'd love to try this. The size of the testing model is not an issue and it would be used both in my backyard and in the garage during the winter. I'd love to provide an honest assessment of the unit. Thank you for the opportunity.

I have the space and would love to try it. 

Good luck to all. 

I have another brand now and it has at least 3 holes in it.  We use it indoors all winter.  

WIth our long winters in Winnipeg Canada, this would help with practicing swing changes and improve my game.  

Just purchased a device to measure my shots and would love to be able to use is at home hitting into the net and improving my short game

Seeing that I now have worn a hole into my Net Return impact screen I could use a replacement.

That’s would be awesome to have that!  I would share with my neighbors!

Have purchased multiple golf nets and all last only 2-3 months eventually netting tears and holes are created. I need to test and find a durable netting material that will last. I can easily hit 200 balls a day as practice in my past nets. I would love to review the product and give an honest review. Hope I can be part of testing group. 

What is the cost to testers??

Never had a hitting net, but would love to try it!

It's about time for me to replace my hitting net in my garage! I can compare the two to provide good feedback.

The system I have at home, the net was supposed to be top quality.   I have had a patch holes and have resorted to hitting into a sheet and have the net as backup.  The walls just can't take much more to many holes I have to patch.  But worth it to get better.

I'd like to participate in this and have a situation that my be interesting/beneficial to the test. I bought an SPG-7 net before the SPG-8 came out and use it with a Flightscope Mevo+ and Titleist RCT Pro v1. 

I would like to do a comparison of both nets to see what, if any, benefits the extra foot gives.  My thought is the SPG-7 is perfect if you use a camera device because you can get as close as you want.  I'd like to compare this larger net to see if there is any additional benefit to a doppler device.

On 5/2/2022 at 7:42 AM, WaffleHouseTour said:

I too would be curious about changes in quality.  I leave mine laying flat (weighted down w a few strategically placed rocks), rather than folding it up after each use.  I've noticed the materials really faded over the summer. I don't really care about the color change, but it does make me nervous that the material may be weakened or compromised. 

Yeah similar situation for me, some of stitching is starting to fray for me. 

Have a putting green and a chipping net. Would love to have this to fill out the practice space

This would be awesome…my net from the last couple years just ripped and now it’s functional any more…keeping my fingers crossed!  My kids,  3 (just got his first set of clubs) & almost 6 (been golfing for 3 years) we’re super bummed when I tried to set it up yesterday.  

I used to have a big net for outdoor use. It really seemed to help my ball-striking. One day I hit the frame and it snapped. The net was rendered useless as I wasn't able to repair the frame. Now I only am able to chip into a bucket around the pool. I'd love to have a new hitting net to practice my swing. This net looks sturdy enough without being overly bulky. I like how they incorporated the chipping targets too. I would test the crap out of this thing.

I would love to be a tester for the SPG-8 XL. Especially after I spent five weeks going back and forth between ordering the SPG-7 and SPG-8. Initially, I was going to purchase the SPG-7 based on the 2021 Most Wanted ranking, but when I saw there was a larger version, I was intrigued. The idea of having an extra foot in width and height seemed comforting in the event I hit an errant shot -- I just moved into the neighborhood and didn't want to have a reputation of taking out windows. However, the price difference between the two models is $200 and the new XL model weighs an additional 14lbs more, which would make it less portable. I tried to find some thorough reviews and research on the new XL model, but there was really nothing substantial. I'm one of those golfers who will pay a premium to have the best because I believe that quality matters, so I would have been glad to pay the extra $200 for the XL upgrade, but I just couldn't find enough value based on the limited information online. The Spornia website says "new upgraded premium material for simulation", but what the heck does that mean? Seriously, you would think they'd give a bit more detail to justify the price gap between the two models. Ultimately, I decided to err on the side of caution and go with the SPG-7, however I may have buyer's remorse. If chosen to be a tester, I'd give the SPG-8 a thorough review and comparison to the SPG-7. I would want other potential buyers that are in my situation to have enough information out there to make an informed buying decision.

I also have a short-throw projector and the new Bushnell LaunchPro (aka rebranded GC3), so I would test this as a practice net and sim play.

Would love to be a part of this testing. I’ve actually been looking at nets for outdoor use as I practice almost every day at home.