Math Is Fun Forum

Hi

Having trouble with the following questions

Amateur golfers playing in weekly competitions are given a playing handicap.
A handicap is like an allowance against the par for the course.

Table of examples

Par Score        Golfers Raw Score        Handicap           Net Result

  72                         80                          8                      72 --> Played to teh handicap

  72                         90                        15                      74 --> 3 shots over

  70                         94                        26                      68 --> 2 shots under

Generally you have a good round if your net result is equal to or better than par.
Handicpas are adjusted after every round played. From April 2010 onwards, a new handicap system is being used-more about that later

The old handiciap system was a little complicated due to a number of factors. For this investigation adn to keep things simple, we will asume the following about hte old system - your own research or knowledge of the game my indicate some differences which we won't use here.

THE OLD HANDICAP SYSTEM

For every shot better than par, your handicap reduced by 0.2
If your net result equals par - no change
If your net result is worse than par, your handicap incresaes by 0.1

Table of Examples

   Par Score        Golfers Raw Score   Exact Handicap     Handicap           Net Result

  72                         80                         8.3                      8                 72 --> 8.3

  72                         90                        15.5                     16               75 --> 15.6

  70                         94                        26.7                     27               68 --> 26.1     

questions

Q.1 Who is better golfer, someone with a handicap of 8 or someone with a handicap of 17

I am assuming it is the person with the handicap of 8 but how do I explain this mathematically

Q.2 Can a golfer have a O or negative handicap

Can the following be done: Say the person had a handicap of 2. His par result say was 70 and his net result was ten times better (60) than thats 0.2 X 10 = 2 so 2-2 =0
So it is yes you can have a 0 or negative handicap. What is a better way of explaining this?

Q.5 what handicap do you play with if your exact handicap is 12.5
   
          Are they asking for the playing handicap if it is I think it would be 13 as I can see on the table they are rounding it

Help is Greatly appreciated and respected