Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
In golf competition, a flight is a committee-created division of a larger field, usually grouping players or teams by comparable ability, handicap or another stated eligibility factor. A flight competes for the places or prizes specified in the Terms of the Competition; it is not a separate form of play.
How it matters in match play
A match-play event can use flights or draws to organise who meets whom, but Flight does not alter the hole-by-hole match result. The committee must state how flights are formed and how the match-play draw works. Once play starts, the applicable match-play Rules still govern holes won, lost or tied, while the event terms control advancement and prizes.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Flight |
| Category | general |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Division, Field, Pairing, Match-Play Bracket, Tee Time |
Worked example
If a club puts Alex (Handicap Index 7.2), Ben (12.4) and Chris (18.1) in Flight A, B and C respectively under its published ranges, each competes within the assigned flight; that allocation is an illustrative house example, not a universal handicap boundary.
Sources: www.usga.org , www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is a flight a type of golf scoring?
No. A flight is an event division. The competition may use Match Play, Stroke Play or another authorised format, and the Terms of the Competition should explain how the flights affect opponents, rankings or prizes.
How are golf flights decided?
The Committee sets the method in the Terms of the Competition. A flight may use Handicap Index, Course Handicap, Playing Handicap, entry order or an even split after entries close. There is no single universal flight range.
Does every flight use handicaps?
No. Handicap is common, but a committee can use another stated basis, such as an open division or age category. If handicaps are used to divide the field, the event may be treated as a handicap competition for the relevant competition rules, even where gross scores determine places within flights.