Golf Tournament Flights Explained
Players: Any field size
Flighting splits a tournament field into divisions by handicap so players compete against similar abilities, with prizes in every flight. It is the single best tool for keeping a mixed field engaged: the 18 handicap is playing for something real instead of donating to the club champion.
Try the free Golf Flight Generator →How to split the field
Sort the field by handicap index or course handicap and cut into equal-sized groups: a 40-player field plays well as four flights of 10. Equal flight sizes beat fixed handicap ranges, because ranges leave one flight with 4 players and another with 22.
Name flights neutrally (First, Second, Third, or colors) rather than by handicap band. Nobody wants to win the 'high handicap' flight.
Gross vs net inside a flight
Because a flight already groups similar handicaps, gross scoring inside each flight works and feels pure. Many events run gross within flights plus one overall net board so everyone has two ways to win.
A championship flight, the lowest group playing gross-only for the overall title, keeps the best players honest while the rest of the field competes in their own divisions.
Common flighting mistakes
Flighting after seeing round-one scores invites arguments; flight by handicap before play and publish the flights with the pairings. For two-day events, keep flights fixed once play starts.
Post every flight's leaderboard separately and visibly. A player who cannot find their flight's standings stops caring by the ninth hole.
Common questions
What is a flight in a golf tournament?
A division of the field grouped by handicap so players compete against similar abilities, with prizes awarded within each flight.
How many flights should a tournament have?
Aim for 8 to 16 players per flight. A 40-player field runs well as four flights; under 16 players, one net division is usually better than flighting.
Are flights gross or net?
Within a flight, gross scoring works because abilities are similar. Many events pair gross-in-flight with an overall net board, plus a gross-only championship flight.
When are flights assigned?
Before play, by handicap, published with the pairings. Flighting off round-one scores is how events end up in arguments.
Keep reading
In the app
Run this event on Skins Golf
Build the event once: format, flights, tee groups, and handicap allowances are handled, every group scores live from their phone, and the whole field follows a public leaderboard with no app and no account needed. Skins Golf tracks results for reference only and never handles funds.