*** Unofficial Review *** MR Golf Driving Cage 10x10x10ft, Golf Hitting Cage w/Ball Return System

[Josh Parker]

INTRODUCTION:

When I was selected as a tester for the Mevo and Mevo+, I knew that I needed to step up my net game for the house in order to have the full ability to really give the products a full test.  I started looking at my options and knew for the most part what I wanted from a net.  I needed something large enough to feel comfortable hitting full shots in the backyard with neighbors around and not having to worry about a stray ball ending up in someone's home.  

I had read thru @Lacassem thread of building out a net and started putting pricing together for that option as it was something that sounded right up my alley.  When I started putting my list together and the timeline of when parts would arrive, it was going to be too much of a delay to complete the Mevo+ test and so I looked at option two.  I jumped on Amazon and started my search for something comparative in price and quality and that is when I stumbled across the Mr Golf Driving Cage.  It was about $80-$100 dollars more than building the net myself but could arrive in 2-3 days.  Coming in at a price of $380 and included everything I would need to get started.  

 

Here is what Amazon and Mr Golf Driving Cage claims about their product:

SUPER EASY SETUP - Our golf driving cage uses new easy buckle system to allow for quick and secure mounting of our trainer onto frames. Just straps onto the post and practice scoring.

UNIQUE BALL RETURN DESIGN –MR golf cage has automatic ball return system, with a metal frames and light-weight netting allow our driving cage to be the easiest and most convenient hitting cage on the market. No more bend over and ball collecting, save your energy for more practice.

PREMIUN MATERIAL - For better strength and durability, our tennis shooting target features long lasting 420D oxford cloth and 5ply polyester which can bear a stronger hitting impact. Engineered using 1” anti-rust metal frame instead of 8mm like others to make the structure even more durable and longer service life.

So the following questions remain:

Will it be easy to set-up?

Will it be durable enough?

Will it accomplish everything I need for a backyard setup?

 

UN-BOXING AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS 

When Amazon showed up (for the second time) and dropped off the 80lb box, I carried it to the backyard final resting place and immediately opened the box to get building.  Everything was nicely organized and numbered making it easy to figure out what goes where.  The instructions are basic and could probably have a little more description to them but seemed simple enough.

The frame pieces already had the foam on them, and it was simple connecting them together.  

Steps 1 and 2 were putting the top and bottom sections together and setting them off to the side.  

Step 3 and this is where I made things more difficult on myself by skipping was to add one section of leg to the top section and turn over.  This allows you to start connecting the net to the framing prior to putting it on the bottom frame.  Had I really thought this thru, I would have continued adding a leg section at a time and then connected the legs to the base frame at the end.  (I highly recommend this route)

Instead, I chose the hard route for this section and yes, the wife would say I normally choose the hard way but built the entire frame first and then added the net.  It took a minute to figure out what direction the netting needed to be put on and it's one area that I wish had some type of label attached to it.  

We used the patio and a ladder to attach the netting and it took 2 of us about 45 minutes or so to add the Velcro strapping to the netting and frame.  Once we had gotten all of the netting secured, we used the straps on the netting at the base to tighten everything up and completed the project.  

Overall, it was a pretty simple build with two people and could have been completed by one person if you follow direction on getting the net on.  

I am still planning on building a 4x10 platform for my hitting mats to sit on, so they are perfectly flat and level and need to get the side netting up and sandbags for the bottom frame to help with any outdoor elements.  

Now that the deck has been completed and I have had a chance to use the net, here are my thoughts on the Mr Golf Driving Cage.

The Good, The Bad, The In-between 

The Good - If you are looking for a one stop shop for a net, this is a great option that comes with just about everything you need to get your backyard or basement set up for practice.  The quality of the net and frame are good and withstood the heavy winds with ease.  I love that it not only comes with the net and target, but also comes with a second net for the hitting area to really make sure that your neighbors are protected.  

The Bad - The canvas target is rough on golf balls and will destroy them rather quickly.   I plan on adding an impact screen and from folks on here and other reviews, this will help keep golf balls from damage and will allow me to get the projector ready.  

The In-Between - The instructions could be a little better written out.   It is large!  10x10x10 takes up some real estate and you need to make sure that you have adequate space.  

Play it or Trade it? 

Obviously, the net is staying for the long game.  The wife and kids have really enjoyed getting to use the new backyard addition and learning the game of golf.  I am looking forward to not only utilizing it as a great practice tool, but also weekend movie nights outback during the warmer days.  

Conclusion

Mr Golf Driving Cage comes as a complete package and sets you up for a ton of backyard or basement fun.  If you have the room and don't feel like building one from scratch, this is the perfect way to get set up and all for under $400.  It was easy to put together and the quality is great.  With the net being fully enclosed and having the ball return feature, collecting your bucket of balls is easy and quick.  Letting you get back to practicing more.  

My biggest suggestion is to get an impact screen or different target mat as the canvas that this one provides destroys golf balls rather quickly.  

Edited February 5 by Josh Parker

[StrokerAce]

Nice job! Your wife and mine would get along well - she also thinks I sometimes choose the hard way.

This is nicer than some of the nets I've seen at courses that don't have a range. Look forward to see how it holds up in the weather. I like the fact it's pretty much shank-proof. 

[TSauer]

Looks good! I will echo above, I like that it is shank proof. Interested in hearing more thoughts on it as you start to get some swings in.

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, StrokerAce said:

Nice job! Your wife and mine would get along well - she also thinks I sometimes choose the hard way.

This is nicer than some of the nets I've seen at courses that don't have a range. Look forward to see how it holds up in the weather. I like the fact it's pretty much shank-proof. 

Ha!  Probably so.  

It seems to be pretty good quality and I liked that it came with a second net for the back.  The side nets are perfect, especially because the wife and son really want to start learning.  

1 hour ago, TSauer said:

Looks good! I will echo above, I like that it is shank proof. Interested in hearing more thoughts on it as you start to get some swings in.

For sure!  The wife has decided she wants to do a full deck from the bottom of our stairs all the way to the net instead of just the hitting platform which will keep dirty feet off the mat as well.  

[GolfSpy_SHARK]

Awesome write up. One think I want on mine is the shank netting!

[Josh Parker]

8 minutes ago, Lacassem said:

Awesome write up. One think I want on mine is the shank netting!

I'll have to find the link but they sell just the shank netting. 

[Josh Parker]

I mentioned it in the good morning thread but the hitting platform has turned into a deck as well. 

[Rob Person]

This looks fantastic! How far off the fence are you? Any chance of impacting that and damaging it?

For under 400, that's a great deal! Considering pop-up style hitting tents run around 100-150, and are not high quality materials, and have to be taken down and storesld, then setup frequently!

Do they provide a replacement warranty of any kind for the netting?

[Michael.Sandoval33]

Looks awesome, while everybody else is worried about shanking, I would be worried about pulling my swings. That part of the net would get tested out very well

Edited January 23 by Michael.Sandoval33
Shanking*

[Josh Parker]

1 hour ago, Rob Person said:

This looks fantastic! How far off the fence are you? Any chance of impacting that and damaging it?

For under 400, that's a great deal! Considering pop-up style hitting tents run around 100-150, and are not high quality materials, and have to be taken down and storesld, then setup frequently!

Do they provide a replacement warranty of any kind for the netting?

Currently it's only about 10in or so off the fence. It will come out another 6-8in.

I'll have to look when I get home on the warranty, but I want to say it may have been a year. 

[sirchunksalot]

That looks good @Josh Parker! I love that it comes with the safety nets on the side to corral the occasional wayward shots. 

As @Rob Personstated, that's not a bad price for everything that's included if you compare it to some of the other nets or on the market.

I can't wait to hear the full rundown on the hitting area. 

[Owengeorge13]

So you’re building your house around a net you bought from Amazon?

[Rob Person]

Did you use the ball return risers on the bottom rails?

[Josh Parker]

41 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

So you’re building your house around a net you bought from Amazon?

Well maybe the backyard is being slightly designed around the net.

[Josh Parker]

24 minutes ago, Rob Person said:

Did you use the ball return risers on the bottom rails?

The net itself is designed to return the golf balls and then it has straps that attach to the bottom rail and get shorter as it gets to the front of the net

 

[Rob Person]

30 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

The net itself is designed to return the golf balls and then it has straps that attach to the bottom rail and get shorter as it gets to the front of the net

 

Ahhh.  I see it now on the last pic.  Stupid old age eyes... duh!

The first pic looked like they had a second  bar connected to risers to elevate the back part of the floor netting.

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, Rob Person said:

Ahhh.  I see it now on the last pic.  Stupid old age eyes... duh!

The first pic looked like they had a second  bar connected to risers to elevate the back part of the floor netting.

The stock photo looks slightly different.  

[Tom the Golf Nut]

@Josh ParkerThis is looking pretty darn good. I like the sandbags to sit on the bottom frame. With the ball return feature the sandbags will never come into play. I would definitely tie off the back top corners to the fence or stake it to the ground somehow. It will help any wind from bending the upper part of the frame. 

Do you think the frame is as strong compared to doing one out of EMT conduit? 

I have an 8 x 12 cement pad next to my shed doing nothing and this looks very interesting. I have a spare hitting mat. I do have a simulator in my garage that has heat and A/C. Why do I want to do this, I don't know. But that's why I'm a golf nut. Always looking for something to do golf related.   

[Josh Parker]

5 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

@Josh ParkerThis is looking pretty darn good. I like the sandbags to sit on the bottom frame. With the ball return feature the sandbags will never come into play. I would definitely tie off the back top corners to the fence or stake it to the ground somehow. It will help any wind from bending the upper part of the frame. 

Do you think the frame is as strong compared to doing one out of EMT conduit? 

I have an 8 x 12 cement pad next to my shed doing nothing and this looks very interesting. I have a spare hitting mat. I do have a simulator in my garage that has heat and A/C. Why do I want to do this, I don't know. But that's why I'm a golf nut. Always looking for something to do golf related.   

We have sand bags ready to be filled and put on the bottom frame. Just need to finish the deck area and head down to the lake to fill the bags with rock.  Currently it is strapped at all 4 corners. 

I think the EMT is probably a touch thicker but not by much.  It has about a 4 in overlap between sections and I don't think stability will be an issue. 

The nice thing is, the wife and I can move it pretty easily and if I had to take it down, could take apart pretty quick. 

 

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I love these. I got the basically the same cage minus the side nets. I’ll be following yours and @Lacassem lead when I get ready to do my garage build and starting a thread for myself as well. 

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, GolfSpy_BNG said:

I love these. I got the basically the same cage minus the side nets. I’ll be following yours and @Lacassem lead when I get ready to do my garage build and starting a thread for myself as well. 

It's been a lot of fun.  Of course the project keeps growing and once I'm able to do the addition to the house it will change again. Haha

We are going to add a sun shade tarp from the patio to the back fence so that during summer we will have some shade back there but that has been on the agenda since the end of this summer. Blocks out about 70% of the sun. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

This is going to be fun, because we are moving end of February and finally have a massive yard which I plan to do something similar!

[Josh Parker]

4 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

This is going to be fun, because we are moving end of February and finally have a massive yard which I plan to do something similar!

It's been a fun little project that has turned into a large project. Haha. But the wife puts up with my golf habits so I better build it the way she wants it. 

[taylorjonasher]

Looks awesome! A couple things that I would offer up for help with having things outdoors with nets:

1) I don't know how hard your dirt is, but as an owner of several trampolines that have taken flight in high wind events, I HIGHLY recommend buying some helical screw anchors to secure your frame to instead of sandbags. I haven't used these specific ones that I am linking, just the ones with the fixed eyelet on the top that sometimes require a lawnmower blade replacement. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vortex-16-in-Steel-Folding-Ring-Spiral-Anchor-4-Pack-ANCFR16-ORG-R/307634214  I just threw a cheap ratchet strap around the frame and secure it to the eye, then cut off the excess 12' of strap. I haven't had a trampoline fly away on me in three years.

2) Also high wind event related - my trampoline nets turn into a boat sail when the wind blows, and has bent the support bars and base legs several times. I ended up replacing the velcro and 550 cord fastening system with grommets and carabiners connected to an eye bolt drilled through the post so that I can take it down quickly when the weather turns to crap. Might be something to take a look into as I know for a fact  that the only thing that blows harder in Texas than the Cowboys in the playoffs is the wind.

[Josh Parker]

24 minutes ago, taylorjonasher said:

Looks awesome! A couple things that I would offer up for help with having things outdoors with nets:

1) I don't know how hard your dirt is, but as an owner of several trampolines that have taken flight in high wind events, I HIGHLY recommend buying some helical screw anchors to secure your frame to instead of sandbags. I haven't used these specific ones that I am linking, just the ones with the fixed eyelet on the top that sometimes require a lawnmower blade replacement. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vortex-16-in-Steel-Folding-Ring-Spiral-Anchor-4-Pack-ANCFR16-ORG-R/307634214  I just threw a cheap ratchet strap around the frame and secure it to the eye, then cut off the excess 12' of strap. I haven't had a trampoline fly away on me in three years.

2) Also high wind event related - my trampoline nets turn into a boat sail when the wind blows, and has bent the support bars and base legs several times. I ended up replacing the velcro and 550 cord fastening system with grommets and carabiners connected to an eye bolt drilled through the post so that I can take it down quickly when the weather turns to crap. Might be something to take a look into as I know for a fact  that the only thing that blows harder in Texas than the Cowboys in the playoffs is the wind.

I plan on trying to put in a couple anchors but we sit right on limestone and I doubt it will go in.  We pulled up the "grass" yesterday and it was literally just the piece of sod.  

I have thought of doing this so that it could be taken down quickly if needed but haven't figured out exactly how yet.  

[jbern]

The buildout is looking great! 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

41 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

I plan on trying to put in a couple anchors but we sit right on limestone and I doubt it will go in.  We pulled up the "grass" yesterday and it was literally just the piece of sod.  

I have thought of doing this so that it could be taken down quickly if needed but haven't figured out exactly how yet.  

You can always get a masonry drill bit and drill right into the limestone and use expanding anchor bolts. 

[Nolan220]

looks great and for only $380 thats a good price 

[Josh Parker]

25 minutes ago, jbern said:

The buildout is looking great! 

Thanks!  

14 minutes ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

You can always get a masonry drill bit and drill right into the limestone and use expanding anchor bolts. 

This is very true. I have 2 4x4 post on the fence that I was planning on strapping to as well. And I think my plan is to run the decking just over the front lip of the cage to hold the front down. May take some clamps and attach to the framing. 

4 minutes ago, Nolan220 said:

looks great and for only $380 thats a good price 

Yeah with everything it came with it seemed like a good deal. 

[Subdiver1]

WOW. I really like the detail level that goes into some of the reviews and projects here. This is a great example of the quality put into some of the projects and reviews by folks here that make this site and forums so worth being on.