The Role Of Algebra In Golf
Algebra is one of the broader parts of mathematics. Algebra includes number theory and geometry with variables. Algebra connects all areas of math and studies symbols called exponents and their rules. Algebra is in our everyday life, especially sports. Algebra is what golfers use to win matches, some may not even know it. Golf is a sport where players use clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course. The goal is to score the lowest number of points. The game of golf is played on different courses around the world, other games have courts that are the same. All golf courses are different, but usually have 18 holes. Players hit from a tee box to a putting green (like a miniature golf course) into a hole called a cup. The cup is exactly 4 ¼ inches in diameter. Players have to work around or through different hazards like water, people, sand, rocks, trees and other barriers.
“While the modern game of golf originated in 15th-century Scotland, the game's ancient origins are unclear and much debated…The game is thought to have been introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages.” The earliest documented golf game was at the Musselburgh Links in Scotland March 2, 1672. This is also the oldest golf course in the world according to the Guinness World Records. It was brought to the United States in New York. Golf from 1900-1921 Golf was an Olympic sport in the Summer Olympics. Golf clubs are used to hit the golf ball. Only 14 clubs are allowed in a golf bag at a time, but pros on tour say 13 (my dad says). The lengths can be longer or shorter, depending on the distance the club is supposed to send the ball. Golf clubs fall into three groups: woods, irons and putters. Now there is also a group called hybrids that act like irons and woods. Each group of clubs performs different tasks. Each club is tilted at a different angle.
There many different types of irons. Irons have hard, heavy, thin tops. A few popular ones used often are the 9 iron which is 41⸰, the 8 iron which is 37⸰, the 7 iron is 37⸰, the 6 iron is 31⸰ and the 5 iron is 28⸰. The lob wedge is 64⸰ it goes straight up and down onto the green. The sand wedge is 56⸰, hitting out of sand up and over. Utility wedge is 52⸰ and pitching 45⸰. Woods include the driver which is used to tee off at the beginning of each hole. Woods have large heads and long shafts. A driver is 9.5⸰ and can go the distance of up to 350 yards. The 3 woods 20⸰ and can go 200 yards. The higher the degree, the higher and narrower the parabola is. The lower the degree, the smaller and wider the parabola is.
Algebra can be used to find a player’s handicap. The handicap helps level the playing field, so that players with different talents and abilities play fair. The formula to find handicap is (total swings/total holes) x 0.96. So, for example, if you on average hit 10 over par (10 over what each hole is leveled at 2-5) then your handicap is about 10. You can take 10 extra hits compared to someone with a zero handicap. I think this would be Elementary Algebra. A new famous golfer is Bryson DeChambeau. “At age 6, his math skills were off the charts. A young Bryson was a master of mental math and even had an understanding of algebra. Yes, algebra.” Bryson can be seen on TV using his notepad to do Algebra in every tournament. He uses the Quadratic Formula probably to determine the height his ball may travel to get over barriers. He probably used the slope formula a lot to calculate how his ball with speed up or slow down and for how long. “And he uses a system of putting called vector putting. If you see him and his caddie checking out his yardage book before he hits a putt, he's using his method to compute the break and read the green.”
In golf the slope formula could be used to. If a player needs to put into a hole up or down a hill, they can calculate the slope for steepness. They can use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine slope lengths too. This puts geometry into algebra. Force can also be used to determine speed using formulas. The most important part of Algebra that golf used though is how the degree of the club affects the height and distance of the parabola the ball travels. If you want it to stay low and go far use a wood. If you need it to go up quick and back down use an iron.
