Hey guys, just checking in to see if you folk can share what you use for back drops for your backyard targets…

I vaguely remember an old thread describing a few but I can’t seem to find it again!

Besides, some may have changed since  ;)

I’m only really worrying about T-Balls for now, stones are for a time when I’m more consistent  ;D

For tennis balls just a sheet , shade cloth or netting .
A hard backstop is also nice if you can afford to bounce the balls back towards you.

I've used a 3m x 3 m (10ft by 10ft) golf net. I got it for about 120USD, not super cheap, but its lasted 3 years now with no sign of wear. And I can throw full power into it with heavy rustyballs with no issue. I'm setting it up now (not in town) to see if it can handle stones. 

But for tennis balls, as Mersa mentioned, a hard backstop is the best. You can get a single tennis ball and just sling, catch, sling, catch. It's great for getting in a lot of repetitions.

I've also been wondering about this. :)

So far I've either gone without a backstop and only used the diana in my backyard, or gone to a park and used a baseball backstop. A local school has a nice concrete wall that I've thrown tennis balls at on a weekend once, too.

Portable nets are a decent option too. I got a golf net that was like 8 feet wide by 6 feet tall. It stops most things. The concern with is is the wild misses that hit the frame and can slowly damage it or the net at those locations. I completely destroyed one portable baseball net because I hit the connection points (sewing stitches) so many times it just started to come apart.

I plan on using a heavy duty silver tarp from Harbor Freight attached to a clothes line sort of thing. It's cheap, durable, easy to take down or put up and it's got grommets.  If I put some small weights on the bottom but leave the bottom off of the ground, the tennis ball should move the cloth enough that the shock is absorbed and the ball falls to the ground instead of bouncing.  You can even use spray paint to put a target on it.

Tarps work for a while, but make sure you get one with good UV stabilizers. Otherwise it will be done within a year. I haven't had good luck with tarps as a backstop. For tennisballs they should work, as long as the sun doesn't beat it up too much.

A large golf net is nice and will last a long time. Not terribly expensive either.

Thanks for all the input guys.

I have taken on Mersa’s advice for now; using a top sheet because they are lame and technically free because I literally never use the top sheet that comes in a sheet set  ;D

It works quite well, however where I live it gets rather gusty and it billows about quite a bit even when I put bricks on the bottom!

For now it works well enough, meaning I can get atleast some practice in everyday as I don’t have to make a trip to go slinging. Definitely will look into getting some golf net though, as rusty balls are on the horizon !

Thanks again folks  :)

This would do the  job and not cost you much:

https://www.amazon.com/Seedfactor-Heavy-Duty-Polyester-Climbing-Vegetables/dp/B0B7J6RR7X/ref=sr_1_22_sspa?crid=2DBI7EGPSCM4R&keywords=garden%2Bnetting&qid=1700739174&sprefix=garden%2Bnetting%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-22-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

blargslap wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2023 at 8:06pm:

It works quite well, however where I live it gets rather gusty and it billows about quite a bit even when I put bricks on the botom.

You could try folding it in half with the crease on the bottom and a piece of PVC or metal pipe in the crease.  It will still move in high winds but it will at least stay roughly square and mostly cover the area you wanted it to cover.

I use a golf net too.
If you are throwing rocks, a truckers tarp might work. They’re designed to survive being pummeled by gravel at  over 70mph on highways.

I just thought I'd update you lot; as you all pitched in some way or the other.

I realized a lot of people have had luck with golf nets, and in sight of wanting to use rustyballs in the future; I have opted to go for one.

I actually procured one locally (awesome!) thats 5mx3m. It works a treat  and has made practice in my yard a thing I can do far more efficiently and safely.

Ill post a pic next time I have it set up.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and comments!

That's great! Yes, please post a picture. Not only do we want to see it, but it makes a great reference for others who have the same question you did.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CXnIEWFs0JlcLhA01JI371_4jB32cOR_Ai4INk0/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This was my set up at my old house. Golf nets are great, not too expensive and will essentially last forever with tennis balls. I never tried with rusty balls but I imagine if the tension is somewhat loose on the net it will work very well also.

The only thing I would change is the target would be more visible.  Otherwise its quite a nice addition to any slingers backyard set up.