G eorgia College & State University’s golf team has entered the chat – technologically speaking.

Since the start of the calendar year, players have been refining their games using virtual reality, in a new performance lab housed on the bottom floor of the Centennial Center.

The centerpiece of the lab is the new Trackman golf simulator, gifted to the university by a generous, and anonymous, donor.

“It has enabled them to work on their club paths, club face and where they are hitting the ball,” said Ben English, GCSU golf coach. “We use the information gathered from using the simulator and take it to the driving range to work on our shots. It helps us get better.”

The simulator also customizes players’ practice experiences.

“It’s not all the same for everyone,” English said. “It gives each player the opportunity to work on the specific things that each of them needs to work on.”

It also allows the players to practice at night or during bad weather, giving them extra time to improve. Additionally, the interface – which models ball trajectory and distance, among other metrics – encourages the teammates to critique each other’s shots and compete in minigames, which promotes team bonding.

Next, the golf lab will add a putting green and lockers.