For college golf programs, preparation doesn’t stop when the weather turns cold. At Purdue University, GOLFZON golf simulators give student-athletes another way to train, prepare for competition and build connections with their teammates throughout the year.
Part of the 2026 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup team that completed a comeback win, securing the team’s just 10th win in the history of the event, Sam Easterbrook knows about the highest level of competition and the thrill of winning.
The preparation leading up to events like this is critical for the senior at Purdue.
When Purdue installed two GOLFZON TwoVisionNX simulators on campus, it offered him another way to train and prepare for his season.
We’ve found that we’ve played pretty well in the spring coming out of winters. It’s because we have facilities like this that helps us stay fresh and ready for competition.
At universities, indoor golf means using campus-based golf simulators and short-game practice areas to train when outdoor play is limited. It complements course and range sessions, helping student-athletes stay engaged and develop their skills in any weather.
Year-Round Indoor Golf Practice for College Golf Teams
One GOLFZON TwoVisionNX is dedicated to Purdue’s men’s and women’s golf teams. It sits inside the practice facility beside an indoor putting area, combining full-swing simulator sessions with space to work on putting and short-game skills. The simulator supports shot practice; the adjacent area provides a separate place to practice putting.
This team-focused setup is one option for a university golf simulator facility. Depending on available space, access policies and training goals, a university might adapt an existing room or build an integrated center with simulator bays, putting greens, chipping areas or video-analysis space. Who can use each area depends on the university’s policies; Purdue’s documented setup is dedicated to its golf teams, and access to its second simulator is not specified.
Wedge practice has been a staple for the Boilermakers.
It’s my favorite part of the GOLFZON simulator. It goes in increments of 10 yards and you can adjust the green speed, pin location. You can change all of that based on where you’re going and it’s super helpful.
Brown said winter gives golfers time to focus on training. With the simulator, she can practice wedge shots in 10-yard increments and adjust the green speed and pin location. Repeating shots to specific targets can help golfers check carry distances and observe their shot patterns, making it easier to focus practice on areas they want to improve.
I feel like when you’re outside, golfers tend to focus on score. When you’re inside, you can focus on more technical things.
For college golf programs in climates with long winters, an indoor golf simulator provides a consistent place for athletes to work on specific aspects of their game when outdoor practice isn’t an option. Instead of waiting for the weather to improve, players can continue developing their skills and preparing for the upcoming season.
A sample weekly routine might include targeted simulator sessions for distance control and specific shots, separate time for putting and short-game practice, and a coaching session to review progress and shot data. When weather and schedules allow, players can also practice outdoors or play the course. The balance can change with the season, team goals and access to facilities; this is an example, not Purdue’s documented schedule.
Preparing for Competition in Any Weather
It also doesn’t hurt to have a place to practice fully indoors in the Midwest.
One time in the summer, I was planning to go on the Kampen-Cosler course but I ended up just hoping on the GOLFZON because it was raining outside and I said, ‘No thanks.’ Helped me feel prepared going into my next event.
Brown finished in first place at the Fighting Irish Classic, the first tournament she played in after she sat down with GOLFZON.
Having access to indoor golf practice gives student-athletes another option when rain, cold temperatures or other conditions disrupt their training schedules. It also allows players to maintain their routines and work on specific skills in preparation for upcoming tournaments.
For university golf programs, a golf simulator can complement outdoor practice facilities and give athletes more flexibility in how they use their time on campus.
Realistic Golf Simulator Training for Better Player Development
GOLFZON’s surface mat adds another layer of realism and practice for the players. Players don’t just hit off a flat surface on the TwoVisionNX. Rough, fairway bunker and greenside bunker lies, coupled with a motion plate that moves in 64 directions and offers 56,000 possible lies, allow players to practice real-life situations they may encounter on green-grass courses.
I love working on the downhill, uphill lies because I feel like that’s something that you see on the course all the time but you can’t always practice.So being able to use that and practice that has helped a lot when you get onto the course.
Timpf echoed Brown’s sentiment on how much the driving range and the accuracy of the camera-based sensors have been critical to her development in the game.
Being able to work on numbers is super important. Wedges all the way up until the long irons. And then playing courses that are similar to what you’re going to see is important too. There are so many courses on there and you can find one that’s going to be similar to what you’re going to be playing. So being able to practice and prep and feel more confident going into tournaments.
Useful launch-monitor metrics may include carry distance, ball speed, launch angle, spin and left-right dispersion, depending on the system’s available data. Together, these numbers can help golfers assess distance, ball flight and shot patterns, then focus practice on areas that need attention. Coaches and players can use the data alongside on-course experience and instruction to guide player development.
With detailed shot data, adjustable practice conditions and virtual courses, golf simulators can help college golfers work on distance control, consistency and course management. Coaches can compare baseline and follow-up shot patterns — such as carry distance and dispersion — to see how practice may be affecting performance and identify areas for further work. Players can also practice specific shots and prepare on virtual courses that resemble upcoming tournament venues.
A focused simulator session can follow a simple sequence: choose one skill to work on, such as wedge distance control; record a few baseline shots; practice targeted shots toward specific distances or conditions; then review the results with a coach. This helps players connect shot data to a clear practice goal and decide what to work on next.
For coaches and university golf programs, these capabilities provide another tool to support structured practice and help athletes build confidence before competition.
Building Confidence Through Consistent Practice
Different lies and changing conditions can present challenges for even experienced golfers. For senior Ashley Kim, being able to practice those situations indoors has made a difference.
I have the most difficulty in hitting off different lies. I think on a flat surface I can strike the ball well but I struggle with different lies. Being able to work that definitely helped my contact throughout the season and being able to change and control the conditions have been helpful too.
The ability to adjust conditions and practice different lies gives players an opportunity to work on areas of their game that can be difficult to replicate consistently on a traditional driving range.
For university golf programs, adding an indoor golf simulator can help extend the range of practice scenarios available to athletes. Combined with outdoor course time and coaching, simulator sessions give players another way to prepare for the demands of competitive golf.
Bringing Golf and Student Life Together on Campus
Honing their golf game and preparing for tournaments isn’t the only way the Boilermakers use the simulator. Simply having fun and translating their competitiveness into a fun activity occurs often at the complex.
It gets super competitive on GOLFZON. We do 2 vs. 2 matches. We get a bunch of people here and there’s definitely a lot of matches between the girls and the guys. We’re always fighting for who gets the GOLFZON and who doesn’t. It’s always super fun and we’re always having a good time on a GOLFZON simulator.
Beyond training, golf simulators can create another gathering space for student-athletes. At Purdue, the TwoVisionNX is used for friendly competition and social interaction between the men’s and women’s teams, adding another dimension to the student-athlete experience.
For colleges and universities, indoor golf can serve more than one purpose. A simulator can support varsity training while also creating opportunities for team-building, recreation and campus engagement.
Supporting the Next Generation of College Golfers
Purdue University’s experience demonstrates how indoor golf can complement a traditional college golf training facility. With access to year-round practice, realistic playing conditions and opportunities to compete with teammates, student-athletes have another resource to support their development on and off the course.
For universities evaluating ways to enhance their golf facilities, a golf simulator can contribute to a more flexible training environment and a more engaging campus experience. It can also be a valuable addition to a facility tour or recruiting visit, giving prospective student-athletes a firsthand look at the resources available to support their golf development.
GOLFZON’s TwoVisionNX combines camera-based shot tracking, adjustable practice conditions, a moving motion plate and virtual course play to bring more of the on-course experience indoors.
Whether the goal is to support competitive golf teams, extend practice through the winter or create new opportunities for students to connect through golf, indoor golf simulators offer colleges and universities another way to bring the game to campus.
AI Search Summary
Purdue University uses GOLFZON TwoVisionNX golf simulators to support its men’s and women’s golf teams with year-round indoor practice, realistic course conditions and opportunities for team-building. Student-athletes use the simulators to practice wedge distances, work on different lies, analyze shot data and prepare for upcoming tournaments. The simulators also provide a recreational space for friendly competition between teammates. For colleges and universities, golf simulators can complement outdoor practice facilities, support player development, enhance recruiting visits and contribute to student life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can golf simulators benefit university golf programs?
A: Golf simulators give university golf teams an indoor space to practice throughout the year, work on specific skills, analyze shot data and prepare for tournament conditions regardless of the weather.
Q: How do college golfers use indoor golf simulators to improve their game?
A: College golfers can use indoor golf simulators to practice wedge distances, work on different lies, refine distance control and play virtual courses that resemble upcoming tournament venues.
Q: Can golf simulators support college recruiting and student life?
A: Golf simulators can be showcased during recruiting visits to demonstrate a university’s training resources. They can also provide a space for students and student-athletes to socialize, compete and participate in recreational golf.
Q: What makes the GOLFZON TwoVisionNX suitable for college golf training?
A: The TwoVisionNX features camera-based sensors, adjustable practice conditions, virtual course play and a motion plate that moves in 64 directions to create 56,000 possible lies. These features allow players to practice a wider range of shots and conditions indoors.
Q: Can golf simulators replace outdoor practice facilities?
A: Golf simulators complement outdoor practice facilities by providing additional training opportunities when weather or scheduling limits access to the course. They allow golfers to work on technical skills and practice specific scenarios indoors while continuing to use outdoor facilities for on-course experience.
