Golf chipping target rings are one of the simplest ways to practice short-game shots like better players do. A net catches the ball. A target ring forces you to choose a landing zone, land the ball on that spot, and then judge how the ball reacts after it hits the ground.
That difference matters. Most amateur golfers aim chips at the hole. Better short-game players usually pick a landing spot first, then choose the club and trajectory that let the ball release toward the hole. Target rings train that exact habit.
If you already use a chipping net, keep it. Nets are still useful for safety, indoor practice, and catching missed shots. But if your goal is lower scores, chipping target rings are often better for learning carry distance, landing-zone control, rollout awareness, and real green-side decision making.
For related short-game practice tools, see our sticky chipping golf target games, best chipping targets for backyard practice, and Champkey Tri-Turf vs Callaway Strike Zone guides.
Quick Verdict
For most golfers, chipping target rings are better than nets for technical short-game practice because they train landing spot control instead of simply rewarding you for hitting into a catcher.
The default recommendation is to use a 3-foot to 6-foot target ring for most chipping practice. A 3-foot ring creates a tighter landing window. A 6-foot ring is better for longer chips, pitch shots, beginners, and distance-control drills.
Use a net when safety, ball collection, or indoor practice matters most. Use target rings when you want to learn how elite players actually think around the green: pick a landing zone, control the carry, and let the ball release.
Chipping Target Rings vs Nets: Quick Comparison
| Practice Tool | Best For | Main Advantage | Watch Out For |
| Chipping Target Rings | Landing-zone practice and carry-distance control | Forces you to focus on where the ball lands | Does not catch balls or protect indoor spaces |
| Chipping Net | Ball collection, safety, indoor/outdoor practice | Catches shots and keeps practice contained | Can make golfers aim at the net instead of a real landing spot |
| Sticky Chipping Target Game | Family fun and landing-spot visualization | Shows exactly where soft balls land | Does not recreate real ball spin or rollout |
| Chipping Mat + Target Ring | Backyard practice station | Lets you practice from a consistent lie to a specific landing zone | Mat feel may not match real turf |
| Putting/Chipping Circle Set | Short game and lag putting | Works for chips, pitches, and putting proximity drills | Needs enough space to use correctly |
How TopGolfe Evaluates Chipping Target Rings
A good chipping target ring should make practice more specific, not just more decorative. The ring should be visible, thin enough that it does not badly affect ball roll, easy to move, and large enough for the golfer’s skill level.
- Landing-zone clarity: The ring should clearly show the intended landing area.
- Size options: Smaller rings train precision; larger rings train distance control and confidence.
- Low-profile design: Thin rings are better because they interfere less when the ball lands or rolls over them.
- Portability: Good rings should be easy to carry to a practice green or backyard setup.
- Durability: Rings should handle repeated outdoor use, foot traffic, and being packed in a golf bag.
- Practice transfer: The tool should help you chip better after the ring is removed.
The best target ring is not always the smallest one. If the ring is too difficult, beginners stop learning. Start larger, then shrink the landing zone as your contact and carry distance improve.
Best Golf Chipping Target Rings and Alternatives
These options cover the main ways golfers can practice landing zones: dedicated target rings, putting/chipping circle sets, precision rings, and nets for comparison.
1. GoSports Lag Circle Putting and Chipping Training Tool — Best Overall Ring Set
The GoSports Lag Circle Putting and Chipping Training Tool is the best overall choice for most golfers because it gives you useful circle sizes for both chipping and putting drills. Target lists the GoSports Lag Circle set as including 6-foot and 3-foot circles, which makes it practical for landing zones, proximity drills, and distance-control practice.
The 6-foot circle is excellent for beginners, longer chips, and pitch-shot carry control. The 3-foot circle is better for tightening the landing window once your contact improves. That two-size setup makes the system more useful than buying one random ring and hoping it fits every drill.
This is the ring set I would recommend first if you want one tool that works for chipping, pitching, lag putting, and backyard practice. It helps you stop thinking only about the hole and start thinking about the area where the ball needs to land.
Best For
GoSports Lag Circle is best for golfers who want a versatile ring set for chipping landing zones, pitching targets, lag putting, and backyard practice.
Pros
- Best overall chipping target ring set for most golfers.
- Includes larger and smaller circle options for progression.
- Useful for chipping, pitching, and putting distance control.
- Better for landing-zone training than a basic chipping net.
- Good for backyard greens, practice greens, and short-game stations.
- Easy to understand for beginners and juniors.
Cons
- Does not catch balls like a net.
- Needs open space and a safe landing area.
- May move if the ground is uneven or windy.
- Not ideal for full wedge swings in tight spaces.
Buy It If
- You want to practice real chipping landing zones.
- You want a target that works for both chipping and putting.
- You want a larger circle for confidence and a smaller circle for precision.
- You practice in a backyard, short-game area, or on a putting green.
- You want a simple tool that teaches better short-game strategy.
Avoid It If
- You need a net to catch balls.
- You only practice indoors in a tight room.
- You want a sticky target game for kids and parties.
- You need protection for walls, windows, or neighbors.
GoSports Lag Circle is the Amazon product/category to check first if you want a versatile chipping and putting target ring set. Use the search below and verify that the listing includes both the larger and smaller circles before buying.
2. EyeLine Target Circle Rings — Best Premium Short-Game Circles
EyeLine Target Circle Rings are a strong premium option if you want bright, low-profile circles for putting, chipping, and pitching practice. EyeLine describes its Target Circles as bright, thin, portable targets designed for putting, chipping, and pitching drills, with a thin profile that does not interfere much with the ball’s roll.
This low-profile design is important. Some cheap targets sit too high, so the ball bounces, deflects, or reacts strangely when it lands. A thinner ring creates a clearer target without changing the drill too much.
EyeLine-style circles are best for golfers who want clean, serious practice tools rather than a backyard toy. They are especially useful if you like building structured practice stations with landing zones, proximity goals, and scoring drills.
The downside is price. Premium target rings can cost more than simple generic rings. If you just want a cheap visual target, generic circles may be enough. If you want a cleaner, more durable practice setup, EyeLine is worth considering.
Best For
EyeLine Target Circle Rings are best for serious golfers who want bright, thin, portable target circles for structured chipping, pitching, and putting practice.
Pros
- Best premium target circle option.
- Bright circles are easy to see on practice greens.
- Thin design interferes less with ball roll.
- Useful for chipping, pitching, and putting drills.
- Good for coaches, competitive players, and serious practice sessions.
Cons
- Usually more expensive than generic target rings.
- Still does not catch balls like a net.
- May be more practice-focused than family-game-focused.
- You may want multiple sizes for the best progression.
EyeLine Target Circle Rings are the product/category to check if you want a premium low-profile short-game ring. Use the Amazon search below or compare availability with specialty golf training retailers before ordering.
3. eGolfRing Golf Rings — Best Size Variety
eGolfRing Golf Rings are a strong option if you want many target sizes for different drills. GolfTrainingAids lists eGolfRing sizes from 9 inches up to 12 feet, with smaller rings used as precision landing targets and larger rings used for scoring zones and proximity practice.
This size variety is useful because short-game practice should progress. A 9-inch or 12-inch ring is a precision landing spot. An 18-inch ring is still demanding but more realistic for many golfers. A 3-foot or 6-foot ring is better for larger carry windows, beginner practice, or “get it inside this circle” scoring games.
The best setup is usually two rings: a smaller landing ring and a larger scoring ring. Place the small ring where you want the ball to land, then place the larger ring around the hole or final stopping zone. That teaches the relationship between carry distance and rollout.
Best For
eGolfRing Golf Rings are best for golfers who want multiple target sizes for landing zones, scoring zones, proximity drills, and skill progression.
Pros
- Best option for size variety.
- Small rings work well for precision landing practice.
- Large rings work well for scoring zones and proximity drills.
- Useful for putting distance control and short-game practice.
- Good choice for coaches building multiple practice stations.
Cons
- You may need to buy multiple rings to get the best setup.
- Very small rings can frustrate beginners.
- Not as game-like as sticky target mats.
- Does not provide ball containment like a net.
eGolfRing-style golf rings are the Amazon product/category to check if you want several target sizes for precision and scoring-zone drills.
4. Callaway or GoSports Chipping Net — Best When You Still Need Ball Containment
A Callaway or GoSports chipping net is still the better tool when ball containment matters. If you practice near windows, fences, neighbors, garages, or indoor spaces, a ring alone does not protect anything. A net catches the ball and keeps the practice area controlled.
The limitation is that nets can hide poor landing-zone discipline. If you chip everything into a big net opening, you may improve contact but still fail to learn where the ball should land on a real green.
The smartest setup is to use both. Place a target ring on the ground in front of the net. Your goal is to land the ball in the ring first, then let the net catch the shot. This gives you landing-zone feedback and ball containment at the same time.
Best For
Chipping nets are best for indoor/outdoor ball containment, safety, backyard practice, and golfers who need to catch missed chips.
Pros
- Best choice when safety and ball collection matter.
- Useful for garages, yards, and tight spaces.
- Works well with foam balls, plastic balls, or real balls depending on the net.
- Great companion to target rings.
- Better than rings for protecting property and people.
Cons
- Can make golfers aim at the net instead of a landing zone.
- Does not show rollout after landing.
- Less realistic than landing the ball on a green or target circle.
- Cheap nets may collapse, twist, or wear out quickly.
Callaway and GoSports chipping nets are the Amazon product/category to check if you still need ball containment while practicing short-game shots.
Why Pros Practice Landing Zones Instead of Just Hitting at Nets
Good chipping is built around landing spot control. The hole is not always the target. On many chips, the ball needs to land short of the hole, release across the green, and finish near the cup.
A net changes that process. It encourages you to hit the ball into a catcher. That can help contact, but it does not teach the relationship between carry distance and rollout.
Target rings solve that problem by lying flat on the ground. They force you to pick the landing zone. After the ball lands, you can watch how far it releases. That is much closer to real short-game decision making.
The Landing Zone Method for Chipping
The landing zone method is simple: choose where the ball should first hit the ground, then select the club and swing length that make the ball finish near the hole.
- Read the lie and green slope.
- Choose the landing spot before choosing the shot.
- Place a target ring around that landing zone.
- Hit chips that carry into the ring.
- Watch how far the ball releases after landing.
- Change club, trajectory, or landing spot until the ball finishes closer.
This is where rings beat nets. The ring does not end the shot. It starts the feedback. You still see what the ball does after it lands.
3 Chipping Target Ring Drills
1. The 3-Foot Landing Zone Drill
Place a 3-foot ring on your intended landing area. Hit 10 chips and count how many land inside the ring. Start with a simple chip from a good lie. Once you can land 7 out of 10 inside the ring, move the ring farther away or change clubs.
2. The Two-Ring Rollout Drill
Place a small ring where you want the ball to land and a larger ring around the hole or final stopping area. The goal is to land the ball in the first ring and finish inside the second ring. This trains both carry control and rollout prediction.
3. The Club Ladder Drill
Keep the same landing ring but hit chips with a pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. Watch how each club lands and releases differently. This helps you learn which club produces the best result from the same landing zone.
Chipping Rings vs Sticky Target Games
Chipping rings are better for serious practice. Sticky target games are better for family fun and visual scoring. Both train landing spots, but they do it differently.
| Tool | Best Use | Main Skill |
| Chipping Target Rings | Technical short-game practice | Landing zone and rollout control |
| Sticky Chipping Game | Family backyard game | Landing spot visualization with soft balls |
| Chipping Net | Ball containment and contact practice | Safe repetition and target collection |
| Chipping Mat | Consistent lie practice | Contact and setup repetition |
If you want fun, choose a sticky game. If you want technical improvement, choose rings. If you want safety, choose a net. If you want the strongest home setup, combine all three: mat, ring, and net.
Common Buying Mistakes
Buying Rings When You Really Need a Net
If you practice in a tight backyard or near windows, a ring alone is not enough. Use a net for safety and place the ring in front of the net for landing-zone feedback.
Starting With a Ring That Is Too Small
A tiny target can frustrate beginners. Start with a larger ring, build confidence, then shrink the landing zone as your skill improves.
Only Aiming at the Hole
The hole is not always the landing spot. Place the ring where the ball should first hit the ground, not where you want the ball to finish.
Ignoring Rollout
If you only count whether the ball lands in the ring, you miss half the lesson. Watch what happens after landing so you learn how each club releases.
Hidden Costs and Warnings
The hidden cost of target rings is space. Rings are excellent on a practice green, backyard green, or open short-game area. They are less useful if you do not have a safe place for the ball to land and roll.
- No ball containment: Rings do not stop missed shots.
- Wind movement: Lightweight rings may move outdoors.
- Practice-green rules: Some facilities may not allow training aids on the green.
- False difficulty: Very small rings can make practice too hard too soon.
- Mat mismatch: If you chip from a bad mat, landing-zone feedback may not transfer well to real turf.
Who Should Buy Golf Chipping Target Rings?
Golf chipping target rings are worth buying if you want to improve landing spot control, short-game strategy, and distance awareness around the green.
- Golfers who struggle with chipping distance control.
- Players who always aim at the hole instead of a landing spot.
- Golfers building a backyard short-game practice area.
- Coaches teaching juniors landing-zone strategy.
- Players who already own a chipping net and want better feedback.
- Golfers who want a portable short-game training aid.
Who Should Skip Them?
Skip chipping target rings if you do not have a safe area where balls can land and roll. A net is better if your main problem is containment.
You should also skip rings as your only practice tool if you need to work on contact first. In that case, a quality chipping mat or basic net may help you build confidence before you add landing-zone precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are golf chipping target rings better than nets?
Chipping target rings are better for landing-zone control and rollout awareness. Nets are better for ball containment and safety. The best setup is often a ring in front of a net.
Why do better players use landing zones for chipping?
Better players know the ball usually needs to land before the hole and release toward it. A landing zone helps them control carry distance, trajectory, and rollout instead of simply aiming every chip at the cup.
What size chipping target ring should I buy?
Most golfers should start with a 3-foot to 6-foot circle. Use a larger ring for longer chips and beginners. Use smaller rings for precision landing-zone practice once your contact improves.
Can I use putting target circles for chipping?
Yes. Many target circles work for putting, chipping, and pitching. Just make sure they are visible, low-profile, and suitable for the surface you are practicing on.
Do chipping target rings help beginners?
Yes, if the target is large enough. Beginners should start with a bigger ring so they learn the landing-zone concept without becoming frustrated by a tiny target.
Can I make DIY chipping target rings?
Yes. You can use hula hoops, rope circles, flexible garden edging, or bright cord. The DIY version works if it lies flat, is easy to see, and does not interfere too much with ball roll.
Final Recommendation
If you want to lower scores around the green, choose golf chipping target rings over a net when the goal is landing-zone control. Rings teach you to think like a better short-game player: pick the landing spot first, then choose the club and shot that make the ball finish close.
Choose the GoSports Lag Circle if you want a versatile ring set for chipping and putting. Choose EyeLine Target Circle Rings if you want a premium low-profile practice tool. Choose eGolfRing-style rings if you want multiple sizes for precision and scoring-zone drills.
The smartest short-game setup is not ring or net. It is ring plus net when safety matters. Use the ring to train the landing zone, and use the net behind it to catch mistakes. That combination gives you technical feedback without turning your backyard into a ball chase.