Golf course netting is a specially made chain link fence fabric that is smaller than normal mesh to prevent penetration by errant golf balls. The material is used in golf courses and driving ranges to protect persons, property and vehicles from damage caused by a ball that misses the target.
The mesh that is installed needs to be effective at stopping a golf ball. On the average, a golfer might hit a ball with a 100 mph swing. The ball will begin to slow immediately until it reaches the peak of the arc. Once it begins to descend, the ball will pick up speed again, reaching a maximum speed of 72 mph. The ball can then strike adjacent buildings, people or vehicles who happen to get in the way. The momentum of a golf ball at 72 mph can do a substantial amount of damage.
When installing netting, many course owners and managers are interested in durability. Will the material be as effective in five years as it is now? By using galvanized materials, courses can ensure that the netting installed today will retain its usefulness for several decades.
You will also want to install a barrier that does not take away from the aesthetics of the course. You spend thousands of dollars every year to maintain the greens, but an ugly fence could ruin the aesthetics quickly. In many cases, you could start to lose customers over the ugly fence on the forth hole.
Use of netting materials may allow a course to add a driving range in a much smaller area. Surround the range with net and assure that any slices or hooks stay within the range and do not hit players on the course or vehicles that are parked adjacent to the range. The addition of a driving range is a great way to draw in new golfers.
Local codes often require that netting be installed when the course abuts busy streets in order to protect vehicles. Even when codes do not address these issues, it is often in the best interest of the course to make the installation to prevent liability claims. One foul ball could distract a driver and cause a multi-car pile up.
Players will appreciate your separating the parking area from the course using the material. They want to be able to bring their vehicles to the course and know that you have done your best to protect the parking area and the vehicles that are parked in it.
While the neighbors may enjoy living on the edges of the course, they will start to complain if the same window gets broken on a regular basis. If you find a problem area, installing a fence of the netting material that does not block their view can make better neighbors as you also protect their property.
Golf course netting is a small investment when compared to the potential liability of not having the material installed. Without the netting in known problem areas, you can be held liable for damages that are done. In other areas, the netting can help to gain and retain customers who have need of your services.
