What They Have in Common
Both are Spornia pop-up nets with automatic ball return, an included chipping basket, and a carry bag that folds the whole thing down. Both come with a target sheet, though the SPG-7's is marketed specifically as noise-reducing. Neither net has a published ball-speed rating, and both share the same 1-year warranty — though Spornia's own warranty page separately states 60 days on netting specifically.
Where They Differ
Frame size
This is the whole conversation. The SPG-5 Compact is 5 ft 6 in wide, 5 ft 6 in tall, and 5 ft 6 in deep. The SPG-7 is 7 ft × 7 ft × 7 ft. The SPG-7 is wider, taller, and deeper. That extra foot and a half in every direction adds up to a much bigger catching surface, though Spornia lists both nets for all clubs including driver. Spornia doesn't publish a room requirement for either net, so I can't tell you exactly how much clearance you need behind the frame — that's the measurement you'll need to take yourself.
What's in the box
The SPG-7 includes a roof attachment for short irons and wedges, which the SPG-5 Compact doesn't have. If you're chipping and pitching into the net, that roof piece keeps shots from sailing over the top. The SPG-5 Compact's included target sheet is a standard Bulls Eye sheet; the SPG-7's is the noise-reduction version. The SPG-7's simulator target sheet, if you want one, is a separate purchase — it's not in the box.
Size consistency — a flag on the SPG-7
Worth knowing before you buy: Spornia gives three different dimensions for the SPG-7 across its own pages — 7 ft square in the spec block, 2.1 m on the what's-included page, and 6.5 ft in the simulator guide. That inconsistency isn't resolved here. The 7 ft figure is what the spec block says; that's what's used throughout this page.
Weight and portability
The SPG-5 Compact comes in at 16 lbs (though Spornia's own pages list it as both 16 lbs and 15 lbs in different places). The SPG-7 is 20 lbs — a 4 lb gap. Both fold into included carry bags, so the weight difference is real but not dramatic. If you're loading one into a car regularly, both are manageable.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the Spornia SPG-5 Compact if:
- You're mostly practicing irons and wedges and don't need a huge surface
- You'll be moving the net frequently — between a backyard and a hotel room, say, or in and out of a tight storage space — and 4 lbs actually matters to you
- The $100 at list is a real factor and the smaller footprint isn't a deal-breaker for how you practice
Get the Spornia SPG-7 if:
- You're hitting all clubs including driver and want the bigger frame: 7 ft on every side against 5 ft 6 in
- You want the roof attachment for short irons and wedges included without extra purchases
- You have a space that can accommodate 7 ft in every direction and you want a net that'll stay useful as your practice routine grows
The Bottom Line
A foot and a half of extra frame on every side sounds minor until you pull a wedge two feet left. The SPG-7's 7 ft × 7 ft × 7 ft footprint, the included roof attachment, and the noise-reduction target sheet make it the better everyday practice net for the $100 gap at list — and for most people building a consistent routine, that's the right call. The SPG-5 Compact is a legitimate option if you're moving it around constantly and you know going in that the smaller frame suits your swing work.
Get the Spornia SPG-7.