Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
In golf, the field is the full group of players or sides entered in a competition. It can mean everyone starting an event, or the remaining competitors after a cut or withdrawal. The Committee's Terms of the Competition determine eligibility and how an oversubscribed field is selected.
How it matters in match play
In match play, the field is the pool from which the draw and successive opponents are formed, rather than the opponent in one individual match. A Committee may replace a pre-match withdrawal or disqualification, or declare a walkover, under the competition's terms and applicable procedures. Once a match starts, the field does not change the hole-by-hole result between Alex and Ben.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Field |
| Category | general |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Pairing, Start List, Tee Sheet, Leaderboard |
Worked example
A club receives 40 entries but its Terms of the Competition accept 32; the 32 accepted players are the starting field, while the eight not accepted are not in the event. If Alex then beats Ben in round one, Alex remains in the 16-player field advancing to round two.
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is Field a defined term in the Rules of Golf?
No. Field is ordinary competition language rather than a standalone defined term in the R&A Rules of Golf definitions. Competition procedures and the Terms of the Competition use it to describe the group of entrants or remaining competitors.
Is a match-play field the same as one match?
No. The field is the wider pool of players or sides in the draw. One match is a head-to-head contest between two opponents drawn from that field, and a player can remain in the field by advancing after a win.
Can the field affect handicap allowances?
It can. WHS Appendix C says recommended allowances may be adjusted for different field sizes or field make-up, and the Committee should state the allowance in the Terms of the Competition. That is an event decision, not a universal Field rule.
What does a full field mean?
A full field ordinarily means the event has reached the number of entries or places set by its Terms of the Competition. The exact number is event-specific, so the phrase does not guarantee a fixed player count.
What is the difference between a field and a pairing?
The field is all accepted competitors; a pairing is a particular grouping or opponent assignment made from that field. In match play, the draw creates pairings for each round.
Does a cut change the field?
Yes. In a multi-round event, the Terms of the Competition may reduce the field for a later round, commonly called a cut. The remaining players form the field for that round.