What Are Flights in a Golf Tournament?

Ever signed up for a tournament and seen the word flights, only to wonder what cage your golf game was about to be put in? Don’t worry, it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Flighting is one of the best things about competitive golf for the average player. This article will walk you through exactly what flights are, why tournaments use them, and how they help you have a more competitive and enjoyable day on the course.

What Exactly Are Flights in a Golf Tournament?

In the simplest terms, flighting is a method of dividing a tournament field into smaller groups, or "flights," based on golfer skill level. Think of it like weight classes in boxing or divisions in school sports. Instead of having dozens or even hundreds of golfers with a massive range of abilities all competing for the same prize, you’re grouped with players who shoot similar scores to you.

Each flight essentially becomes its own separate tournament within the larger event. The "Championship Flight" might be for scratch golfers and low single-digit handicaps, the "First Flight" for the next group up, the "Second Flight" for players after that, and so on.

This structure ensures that everyone has a realistic chance to compete for a prize, not just the best players in the field. It makes the competition fair and, honestly, a lot more fun.

Why Tournament Organizers Use a Flight System

The primary reason for flighting is to level the playing field. Imagine a charity tournament with 120 players. In that group, you might have a couple of former college players who shoot under par, a large group of bogey golfers who shoot in the 90s, and a handful of beginners happy to break 110.

Without flights, who do you think is going to win first, second, and third prize? The former college players, almost every time. It wouldn't be much of a competition for the other 118 people.

Flighting solves this problem by creating fair competition within each skill bracket. Here’s what it accomplishes:

• Increases Participation: More golfers are willing to sign up for tournaments when they feel they have a chance to win something.
• Creates More Winners: Instead of just one set of prizes for the top three golfers overall, each flight has its own winners. This means more people go home with a prize and a great story.
• Reduces Intimidation: It can be nerve-wracking to play in your first tournament. Knowing you're competing against others at your level, rather than a scratch golfer, makes the experience much more approachable.
• Enhances Enjoyment: The competitive juices flow better when the challenge is attainable. A 15-handicap player grinding to beat the 14s and 16s in their flight is the heart of amateur competitive golf.

How Are Tournament Flights Actually Created?

The process of creating flights is pretty straightforward for the tournament organizer. The goal is to slice the entire field of registered players into reasonably equal groups based on their playing ability.

Here’s a typical step-by-step process:

1. Gathering Skill Info: As players register, the organizer will collect a measure of their skill. The most common and reliable method is asking for an official Handicap Index (like a USGA GHIN). For more casual events, they might just ask for a player's average 18-hole score.
2. Sorting the Field: The organizer lists every player from best to worst based on their handicap or submitted score. The player with the lowest handicap is at the top, and the player with the highest is at the bottom.
3. Dividing into Groups: The organizer then divides this sorted list into evenly sized flights. For example, if there are 100 players, they might create five flights of 20 players each.

A simple example for a 100-person tournament might look like this:

• Championship Flight (A-Flight): The 20 players with the lowest handicaps (e.g., Handicaps 0 to 5.4).
• First Flight (B-Flight): The next 20 players (e.g., Handicaps 5.5 to 10.9).
• Second Flight (C-Flight): The next 20 players (e.g., Handicaps 11.0 to 16.4).
• Third Flight (D-Flight): The next 20 players (e.g., Handicaps 16.5 to 21.9).
• Fourth Flight (E-Flight): The final 20 players (e.g., Handicaps 22.0 and up).

The handicap breakdown is just an example, the exact cut-off lines depend entirely on the skill levels of the people who sign up for that specific event.

What About Qualifying Rounds?

Some more serious tournaments, especially multi-day events, might use a qualifying round to determine flights. In this scenario, everyone plays a round of golf on the first day. Your gross score (your actual A to B score with no handicap) from that round is then used to place you into a flight for the remainder of the tournament. For instance, players who shoot 70-78 might make the Championship Flight, 79-85 in the First Flight, and so on.

Understanding Gross vs. Net Flights

This is a an important detail. The competition within your flight can be based on either your gross score or your net score. It's vital to know which format is being used, as it can affect your strategy.

Gross Score Competition

Gross scoring is striaghtforward - it’s the actual number of strokes you took to complete your round. If you shot an 85, your gross score is 85. In a gross score competition, everyone knows where they stand at all times. The player in your flight with the lowest gross score wins. There are no handicap strokes given or taken.

Flights for a gross competition are typically based on handicap ranges to ensure that you’re grouped with players who are capable of shooting similar scores. However, on that specific day, it’s all about who shoots the lowest number.

Net Score Competition

Net scoring brings your handicap directly into the competition. Your net score is calculated by subtracting your playing handicap from your gross score.

Formula: Gross Score - Course Handicap = Net Score

For example, if you shoot a 90 and your course handicap for the day is 18, your net score is a 72 (90 - 18 = 72). This system is designed to allow a 20-handicap player shooting a great round for them (like a net 70) to beat a 10-handicap player having a decent round (like a net 73).

In a net-flighted tournament, both the flights themselves and the competition within them are based on handicap. It's the ultimate equalizer and very common in member-guest events, club championships for higher handicaps, and league play.

Tips for Playing in Your First Flighted Tournament

Feeling ready to jump in? Playing in a flighted event is a fantastic way to experience competitive golf. Here are a few tips to make sure you have a great time.

• Be Honest About Your Skill: Always provide an accurate and current handicap or average score. Don't be a "sandbagger" who intentionally inflates their handicap to get into an easier flight. The goal is fair competition.
• Know the Format: Before you tee off, confirm if you’re playing for gross or net score. This can alter your strategy. In a gross event, that risky hero shot over the water might be necessary. In a net event, taking the safe route to avoid a big number might be the smarter play.
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Don't get fazed if the group ahead includes a player who drives it 300 yards. They aren't in your tournament. Your competition is inside your flight. Play your game against the people you were grouped with.
• Play with Confidence: You are right where you belong! You’ve been flighted for a reason. You're playing against golfers of a similar ability, so there’s no reason to feel out of place. Trust your game and enjoy the pressure a little.

Final Thoughts

Flighting is simply a way to structure a golf tournament so that every participant has a meaningful and competitive experience. By grouping players based on their skill level, it creates a fair environment where anyone can have a great day and feel the excitement of being in contention to win.

To play your best within your flight, having a solid strategy and making smart choices on the course can give you a huge advantage. We designed Caddie AI to deliver that kind of support, acting as an expert golf coach and caddie right in your pocket. You can get instant advice on how to play a hole, get help with club selections, or even take a photo of a tricky lie to see the best way to play the shot, allowing you to go into every round with more confidence and a smarter game plan.