Sports netting covers a wide range of applications — cricket practice nets, tennis court surrounds, driving ranges and multipurpose field barriers — and each has a different mesh, strength and fixing requirement. What they share is a need for consistent tension, UV stability and a net that does not unravel when cut on site.
Cricket practice nets face repeated ball impact, sometimes at high pace. The net needs sufficient tear resistance to stop a ball without a player getting hit or the net tearing. 40–50 mm HDPE at 50–80 gsm is the standard for practice nets; 100+ gsm for permanent or high-frequency-use structures. Junior cricket and tennis ball practice go to 20–30 mm mesh. See our bird netting page for the mesh range.
Tennis court surrounds need a net that stops balls without dangerous rebound. 40–50 mm HDPE at 80–100 gsm, tensioned on a perimeter cable, is the standard. For indoor courts or tight spaces, finer mesh (20–30 mm) reduces the rebound angle. A net that is too slack rebounds more dangerously than one at the right tension.
Driving range netting faces the highest impact forces in sports netting — a driver ball at full swing. The primary net should be 150–200 gsm HDPE with a secondary containment layer behind it. Height is set by club carry distance, and the fixing must be permanent. Demand UV-stabilized material throughout; these nets stay up year-round in full sun.
| Application | Mesh | GSM | Key concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket practice net | 40–50 mm | 50–80 | Player safety, net tension |
| Batting cage | 40–50 mm | 80–120 | Permanent tension, UV life |
| Tennis surround | 30–50 mm | 80–100 | Rebound control |
| Golf driving range | 20–30 mm | 150–200 | Driver impact, carry distance |
Related reading: our Bird Netting Mesh Size Guide and construction safety net guide — bird netting mesh size guide and construction safety net guide.
40–50 mm HDPE at 50–80 gsm for standard practice. Junior cricket and tennis ball nets go to 20–30 mm. GSM rises for permanent or high-frequency structures.
150–200 gsm HDPE for the primary containment layer, with a secondary net behind it. Both must be UV-stabilized — these are permanent outdoor installations in full sun.
Finer mesh (20–30 mm) and firm perimeter tension. A slack net rebounds more dangerously than a taut one. Replace nets showing stress marks at fixings or fibre degradation.
UV-stabilized HDPE at the right GSM lasts 5–10 seasons. Inspect after every season and after storm impact events. Replace nets showing chalking or stress marks at anchor points.
Sports netting is impact-rated — match mesh and GSM to ball speed, not appearance. Tell us your application and we will spec the right net, GSM and size.