I've been unable to properly sling for a while and I'll need to set up some sort of target or backstop in my backyard to start slinging again. I need a way to avoid hitting the fence or hitting my window depending on where I set it up. Even better if it can stop balls from going over the fence. What's the best option? I want to sling rusty balls but I'll settle for rubber balls if the target can't handle them. If a net is the best option, then what kind of net? Do I need to weave one? Is there a strong, large, durable, and reasonably-priced option that someone can recommend?

I’ve been checking out golf nets… they’re cheap and easy to put up. I’m yet to pull the trigger (or release the stone) because I’ve had some wrist and elbow issues preventing me slinging but it’s probably going to be what I go for…

Morphy fairly recently set up a net in his garden. Might be the person to ask. For a target, a big old pan works pretty good :D

As Kick mentioned I put up a net in my backyard. I got the 10x20 ft net. In hindsight the 10x25 wouldve been much better. Dont be surprised if you still have ammo go over the fence. Especially when using vertical throws. Other times it can bounce and go over.

Whatever you decide to use for ammo you are likely to still need to take price/lethality into account. Even a big net is not a 100% guard against losing ammo. I use hard foam rubber baseballs that weigh in at about 4.5oz and are a little smaller (i think) than a real baseball. Theres other options but these satisfy the three main issues- safety, speed and weight.

My net is 10' x 10'. And as Morphy said, I still miss sometimes. Even with rustyballs, expect to miss occassionally, so try to have nothing around (or behind) that can be really damaged when you do miss (my fence gets hit and I've cracked a few boards). Tennis balls aren't as fun, but they are much safer ammo.

You know what’s not fun? Never going out slinging because you can’t safely launch anything except tennis balls… They’re not rustyballs, but compared to not slinging at all, tennis balls are great fun!  I’ve also cracked boards on my fence with tennis balls.

Tennis balls have bounced out of my backyard since it's not that large. I'd need a net for them too  ;D

This stuff might also work for tennis balls.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/BOEN-4x100-Green-Snow-Fence/1001765416?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lum-_-bng-_-PLA_LUM_212_Fencing-_-1001765416-_-0-_-0-_-0&msclkid=495dc2ab98b614ebf538a3de30f96455&gclid=495dc2ab98b614ebf538a3de30f96455&gclsrc=3p.ds

It is much cheaper too. My golf net was $110 USD for a 3m x 3m target (10ft x 10ft). This stuff is 1.2 m x 30m (4 ft x 100 ft) for a third the price. It won't take a beating like the golf net, but tt would work and can be doubled up or added to and replaced easily.

Snow fence is tough stuff!  Me? I just accept that I will lose a few tennis balls every week, and then occasionally my neighbors throw them all back and I’m surprised to have a ton of ammo in the yard. Walmart sells pressureless tennis balls for $.50 each in packs of 18, so it’s not a big deal to lose a few per week. Also, my neighbors all have dogs and don’t seem to mind the free dog toys anyway.

NooneOfConsequence wrote on Oct 24^th, 2021 at 5:19pm:

Snow fence is tough stuff!  Me? I just accept that I will lose a few tennis balls every week, and then occasionally my neighbors throw them all back and I’m surprised to have a ton of ammo in the yard. Walmart sells pressureless tennis balls for $.50 each in packs of 18, so it’s not a big deal to lose a few per week. Also, my neighbors all have dogs and don’t seem to mind the free dog toys anyway.

In exchange for throwing them back they probably keep a few. ;D

I’ll have to look at Walmart for tennis balls sometime I didn’t know they were that cheap.

I didn't realize it was called snow fence until I found the link. I always see it at construction sites, so was searching the wrong terms for years (and maybe Google wasn't as good at finding related commercial ads).