The Garden Range Planner
Everything we tell customers on WhatsApp before they buy a garden golf cage — sizes, bases, mats, launch monitors and budgets — on one page you can print and take into the garden with a tape measure.
1 · Will it fit? The honest space tiers
| Tier | Total depth needed | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum — ~4m | 3m cage + ~30cm baffle gap + hitting inside the bay | Full swings incl. driver (Tom is 6'1" and hits from ~3m). Camera launch monitors fit; radar won't. |
| Comfortable — ~5m | As above + ~2m behind the ball | Relaxed stance, room to film down-the-line. |
| Ideal — 6m+ | Full working room | Radar launch monitors (need ~2.4m behind the ball) + seating/tripod space. |
Width: the cage is 3m — allow ~30cm side access for netting checks. Keep sheds, fences and hedges out of the swing arc, and avoid siting under overhanging trees (debris collects on the roof net).
2 · Ground & base — pick one
| Option | Best for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Grass + U-pegs | Fast, free, reversible | Winter mud at the stance; keep it level |
| Raised platform | Sloped or boggy gardens | Adds 20–30cm height — neighbour sightlines |
| Sunken base (MOT Type 2 + sand + turf) | The permanent, pro finish — what Tom did | A day with a local landscaper; drops the cage below 3m ridge height |
3 · Mats & tees — the matrix
| Mat | Tees | Outdoor life |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra Tee Turf (35mm) | Regular wooden tees, anywhere on the mat | All-season; lift occasionally so water doesn't sit beneath |
| FORZA Driving Range | Rubber tees (4 included) | The proven commercial range surface |
| GolfBays Combi | Stance mat + replaceable hitting strip | Swap the strip as it wears, not the mat |
Add the Pro Jigsaw base if you'll practise daily — shock absorption your back will thank you for, and it includes the ball tray.
4 · Launch monitors — the budget ladder
| Step | Unit | Fit in a 3m cage? |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | ShotScope LM1 | Yes |
| Budget radar | Garmin R10 | Needs ~2.4m behind the ball — the 6m-garden option |
| Our most popular | FlightScope Mevo Gen2 | Radar — same 2.4m rule |
| Camera / sim-ready | Garmin R50 | Sits ~60cm in FRONT of the ball — fits any 3m bay, no PC needed |
Buying FlightScope? 30-day returns on the unit, but the software is non-refundable — we tell every customer this upfront.
5 · Planning permission (the 60-second version)
A garden cage is not a permanent structure or building — Tom didn't need permission for his, including within 2m of a boundary. Not legal advice: check first if you're in a conservation area or a listed property.
6 · Your pre-order checklist
- ☐ Measured total depth (which tier are you?)
- ☐ Ground picked: grass / platform / sunken
- ☐ Mat chosen for your tees
- ☐ Launch monitor matched to your space (radar = 6m, camera = any)
- ☐ No overhanging branches over the cage line
- ☐ Neighbour sightlines considered (base choice changes height)
Send us a photo and rough measurements on WhatsApp — we check fit for customers every week and reply the same day.
WhatsApp your garden photo See the Pro Cage bundle