The idea of golfing might create images of rolling greens and a bright blue sky with an acres long course to brave. Until modern times, it was an activity which was unable to be replicated in the confines of a gym in this sense. 

The athletic department has recently acquired a SKYTRAK golf simulator, which was paid for by a relative of a board member from the School of the Arts Foundation. It works by hitting a golf ball on a tee towards the simulator’s virtual course, which is depicted on a screen. Then, the simulator displays statistics for the swing’s speed and direction.

The machine is located in a closet in the corner of the school gym, and students, like recreational golfer and strings sophomore Mark Satterwhite, have started to utilize it to improve their performance. 

“I’ve just been trying to get my drive as far as I can possibly get it,” Satterwhite said. “I’ve been trying to break 200 yards, which is almost impossible for me, but I’m still trying to get it. It’s pretty frustrating, but it can also be pretty fun.”

Athletic director Matthew Vaughan has integrated the machine into his physical education (P.E.) classes but hopes that the golf team can use the machine for training next year, including when courses are rained out or unavailable.

“During their season, the teams get lightning down there probably twice a week,” Coach Vaughan said. “They drive all the way to Okeeheelee, and they have limited resources.” 

But more than being an alternative for when the real courses aren’t available, first-year golf team member and vocal sophomore Harrison Poulakakos says that the simulator helps people perfect their swings.

“I think that I will use it any chance I can get because it shows you what you’re doing wrong and how to correct it,” Poulakakos said. “I feel like that’s really helpful. And if I’m gonna be playing next year, I’m gonna want some help from not just human eyes, but from the actual statistics, and this is a perfect way to really show that.