The LSU golf program’s return to prominence has been highlighted by individual NCAA champions and stellar team performances.
But the lynchpin to the program’s resuscitation might be its $850,000 golf facility — the LSU Golf House.
LSU coach Chuck Winstead was signed in 2005 to take the reigns of a program that didn’t advance past NCAA regionals during the 2000s. Under Winstead’s direction, the Tigers made the last two NCAA championships.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers made trips to nationals championships in four consecutive seasons and finished third place in last season’s NCAA championships, the highest finish in the program’s history.
While the golf facility’s impact is intangible, the recruiting benefit has helped bring LSU golf out of the dark ages and into the lime light.
Built in 2002, the facility received interior renovations in 2009 and was used as a home away from home for John Peterson and Austin Ernst, the 2010-11 men’s and women’s NCAA individual champions.
The interior renovations include an upgraded indoor hitting bay where coaches can record a player’s swing with a high-tech camera and analyze it.
The facility allows players to do what is ultimately the most important thing to the program  — improve. It serves a dual purpose, according to Winstead.
“From the standpoint of helping our players, that’s where the benefit comes from, whether it be indoor putting on days where we have bad inclement weather or the ability to video players in a controlled environment with their golf swings and work with them on their technique,” Winstead said.
Aside from the technological tools for player improvement, one of the facility’s biggest advantages might be the simplest — its looks.
“It’s really nice from a recruiting aspect to be able to show that LSU and the supporters of LSU golf care about their golf program,” Winstead said. “These days I’d say it’s commonplace for elite-level programs or even good programs to have facilities like it.”
Senior golfer Austin Gutgsell, who was a sophomore when the interior renovations were done, agreed with Winstead when it comes to luring potential recruits.
“We have great weather, and when they come out and see the facilities, they are like, ‘I think I’m ready to come here,'” Gutgsell said.
But the useful features inside the Golf House aren’t the only thing that gets LSU golfers prepared for the links.
Take one step outside, and a full panorama of golf skill-builders awaits the eyes. Pot bunkers, putting and chipping greens and range flags dot the scene.
It replicates any shot an LSU player will have to make, with one exception.
“You can’t replicate different grasses that don’t grow in our environment,” Winstead said. “But relative to what we can do I think we’re in pretty good shape with what we’re able to accomplish good.”
This makes having comfortable facilities like LSU’s golf house paramount in acquiring and developing talent.
 
____
Contact Luke Johnson at [email protected]