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DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton men's and women's golf teams have been able to take full advantage of a new indoor golf facility this offseason, which was made possible by a few generous donations to the program.

University of Dayton Director of Golf Gip Hoagland has been very pleased with the facility and everything it has to offer in its first month of use. "We have been able to see much more focused practices because of the space, equipment, and training aids," said Hoagland. "Better preparation equals better finishes and at the end of the day, that is what we are trying to do, win golf tournaments."

Competing in a part of the country where getting out on the golf course in the winter months is few and far between, Midwest college teams have had to adapt to stay competitive and indoor practice facilities have almost become a must.

"Indoor facilities are becoming a key element in the recruiting game," commented Hoagland. "Recruits are looking at schools and wanting to see what the school will do to make them better. If multiple schools are looking at the same recruit, the school without the facility has a far less chance to land him."

With the new facility, players have been able to work on just about every aspect of their game, but most importantly, it offers the players the unique ability to fine-tune their short games. The 15-by-60 foot chipping/putting green and the separate 6-by-14 foot putting green were purchased from Pro Putt Systems, a leader in the indoor putting green industry. Also purchased from Pro Putt Systems were multiple surface mats that offer the ability to practice from several different lies. Players can not only hit basic chips and putts, but they can get creative by hitting shots from the fairway, the rough, the collar, into the grain, and with the grain.

Other practice aids located at the facility are a Foresight GC2 Launch Monitor, V1 Golf software, The Point Golf practice putters, Eyeline Golf putting mirrors, Dave Pelz putting tools, a couple Golfer's Toolboxes, and weighted clubs to warm up with.

The Foresight GC2 Launch Monitor complete with 2014 software allows players to see ball flight through a computer screen. It also measures important carry distances, direction deviations, and spin rates to help the players really understand where their shots are going. V1 Golf software provides the ability for swing video analysis. The Point Golf practice putters have also helped the players fine tune their putting strokes as it requires the individual the hit the ball with a putter surface only 1/8 of an inch wide.

"As far as an investment for the future, having the availability to add this facility at this time has been a home run," Hoagland added. "With the addition of more scholarship money next year, being able to showcase this to top recruits is immeasurable. We have already landed four top recruits for next season and I see us being able to contend for more top players in 2015."

The men's 2014 spring campaign starts February 16-18 in Hilton Head, S.C., at the Wexford Intercollegiate hosted by Francis Marion. The women's 2014 spring campaign starts March 9 in Hilton Head as well at the Dayton Hilton Head Invitational.