Golf practice made easy

By Bridget Brady
A WORLD first golf invention created in Cranbourne is about to tee off.
Two Casey men have revolutionised the average golf practice net, designing a mobile net that sees the golf ball automatically returned back to the player and onto to the tee.
The bright idea came to Berwick engineer and keen golfer Gary Johnson about four years ago in the middle of night.
“I woke my wife up and said I’ve got an idea,” Mr Johnson said. The invention came to life with the help of a friend and engineer from Cranbourne, who together designed the device called Balls-Up.
Mr Johnson said he thought there must have been an easier and less strenuous way to practise in the nets, rather than the tiring task of bending over to pick up balls time and time again.
“You’re not wasting any time collecting the ball or doing anything else, but practising your swing,” Mr Johnson said.
“And you don’t have to leave home to practise your swing.”
Golf coach Ben Ferrif said it was the best practice golf net he has used.
“It will change the way people practise and warm up,” Mr Ferrif said.
After much fine-tuning to several prototypes, Balls-Up is finished and at the Cranbourne Golf Course for golfers to use. Mr Johnson and his co-inventor are now hopeful their creation will take off around the world. They said it would be suitable for the keen golfer, golf clubs and even on cruise ships.
“We’re very, very excited and a little nervous.”
Mr Johnson quit his job to make the project his full-time pursuit, and the men have spent about $150,000 on their creation, sourcing some of the components overseas.
“We want to go national and international. We’re hoping it really takes off.”
To check out Balls-Up visit www.balls-up.com.