Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box
Puzzle 037: World's Best Golfer
A golfer can only putt exactly 3, 5, 7 or 11 feet, so how few strokes sink a ball 20 feet away?
- Chapter
- Chapter 2
- Location
- Wheat Field · Kostya
- Picarats
- 25 picarats
- Type
- Write Answer
- Region
- Same in all versions
Hint 1: A gentle nudge. Tap to flip.
No combination of those numbers adds up to 20 in two shots in a straight line.
Tap to flip backHint 2: The key idea. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Who says every putt has to go straight at the hole?
Tap to flip backHint 3: Almost there. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Two putts at an angle can make a triangle with the 20-foot gap.
Tap to flip backAnswer: See the answer. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
The answer is 2 strokes.
Tap to flip backSolution, FAQ and sources
Solution
No single putt is 20 feet, so one stroke is impossible. In a straight line, no two of the distances add up to 20 either (11 + 7 = 18, 11 + 11 = 22).
But the putts don't have to go straight. Hit an 11-foot putt off at an angle, then another 11-foot putt to the hole. The two putts and the 20-foot gap form a triangle, which works because 11 + 11 is more than 20.
That's **2 strokes**.
About this puzzle
A pro golfer can putt exactly 3, 5, 7 or 11 feet, and no other distance. His ball is 20 feet from the hole. If he hits too far, the ball just rolls past. What’s the fewest strokes to get it in?
Unofficial fan guide, not affiliated with LEVEL-5 or Nintendo. Puzzle description, hints and solution written by Hint by Hint.
Similar puzzles: Puzzle 038: Moving Day, Puzzle 047: The Mayoral Election, Puzzle 024: A Strip of Paper, Puzzle 044: Tangled Ropes
All Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box puzzles
FAQ
What is the answer to Puzzle 037, World's Best Golfer, in Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box?
The answer is 2 strokes.
Where do you find Puzzle 037 in Diabolical Box?
Puzzle 037 appears in Chapter 2, in the Wheat Field area, when you talk to Kostya.
How many picarats is Diabolical Box Puzzle 037 worth?
25 picarats.
Sources
- Professor Layton Wiki (Fandom): Puzzle:World's Best Golfer
- StrategyWiki: Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box/Puzzles 26-50
- Professor Layton Wiki (Fandom): Module:PuzzleData/DB
Facts checked on November 14, 2026
Unofficial fan guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LEVEL-5 Inc. Professor Layton, The New World of Steam, and all related names, characters, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.