September 24, 2001
Problem of the Month

The Handley Golf Problem



The nine holes of the Handley golf course are 210, 240, 180, 120, 360, 330, 300, 270, and 420 yards in length.

Handley's star golfer/calculus student, Joshua Brandon, always strikes the ball in a perfectly straight line and sends it exactly one of three distances.

It always goes straight towards the hole, passes over the hole, or drops in the cup.

If Joshua Brandon always hits the ball 60, 90, or 150 yards, what is the lowest score he could have on the nine holes to complete his score card?

Score Card
HOLE YARDS SCORE
1 210    
2 240    
3 180    
4 120    
5 360    
6 330    
7 300    
8 270    
9 420    
    TOTAL    




Solution to the Problem:

The answer is 23.
Score Card
HOLE YARDS SCORE
1 210 2
2 240 2
3 180 2
4 120 2
5 360 3
6 330 3
7 300 2
8 270 3
9 420 4
    TOTAL 23




Correctly solved by:

1. Richard Johnson La Jolla, California
2. Walt Arrison Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
3. Renata Sommerville Austin, Texas
4. Charity Calhoun Columbus, Georgia
5. Joe Heintz Manchester, Tennessee
6. Brice Tarleton Columbus, Georgia
7. Izzy Kushner Closter, New Jersey
8. Janine Oliver Winchester, Virginia
9. Amanda Robertson Winchester, Virginia
10. Jerry Putt Loudoun Valley, Virginia
11. ---------- United Kingdom
12. George Gaither Winchester, Virginia
13. Tony Wu Fort Collins, Colorado
14. John Funk Ventura, California
15. Shanna Harbuck Columbus, Georgia
16. Geoff Keith Santa Monica, California
17. Blake Smith Columbus, Georgia
18. Ellen Sankovich Winchester, Virginia
19. Elizabeth Emmart Winchester, Virginia
20. Matt Crandell Winchester, Virginia


Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher