Why do golfers say “fore” when they hit the ball?
It is good etiquette and you would expect another player on the course to do the same if they hit the ball towards you. The word fore may have it’s origins from the military when artillery men would yell ‘Warning Be ’Fore’ so any infantry could protect themselves and not be exposed to dangerous shell explosions.
When did golfers first use the term'fore'?
The British Golf Museum cites an 1881 reference to "fore" in a golf book, establishing that the term was already in use at that early date. The Merriam-Webster dictionary pegs the beginning of the golf use of fore to 1878.
Why do golf pros yell 'Fore right' and 'fore left'?
At professional tournaments, where holes are tightly lined by fans, it's common to hear tour pros yell "fore right" or "fore left," letting the fans known which direction the ball is traveling. That way, the fans on the left side or right side of the hole know to take cover.
Do you say fore in golf?
"Fore!", originally a Scots interjection, is used to warn anyone standing or moving in the flight of a golf ball. The etymology of the word in this usage is uncertain. Mention of the term in an 1881 British Golf Museum indicates that the term was in use at least as early as that period.
What do they say in golf fore?
Nowadays, most golfers yell "fore" only after they've hit an errant shot toward an unsuspecting golfer, but the term which translates to "watch out!" or "heads up!" was originally intended to be used before teeing off.
Why do golfers yell fore before they swing?
Fore is the shout that is traditionally used in golf to warn other golfers on the course that you have mishit your shot and it could potentially be heading in their direction in order to give them a warning so they can make themselves safe.
Why do you shout 4 in golf?
It Is Derived from the Word 'Forecaddie' Forecaddies were in charge of watching the golf balls and indicating where the golf balls landed. To let the forecaddie know when the ball was being struck, the golfers would yell out forecaddie. Eventually, the caddie part was dropped, leaving just the fore.
What are some golf sayings?
19 Different Golf Sayings For Good LuckGood Luck.Enjoy The 19th Hole.Hit 'Em Long And Straight.May The Fores Be With You.Play Well.Swing Easy.Only Birdies.Have A Great Round.More items...•
Where did the term fore come from?
However, according to the USGA, "fore" is Scottish in origin, and can also be viewed as a shortened version of "before" or "afore." Golfers began using the term as early as the 18th century. The term has other potential roots as well. One meaning comes from shipping, as in "fore" (ahead) and "aft" (behind).
What is proper golf etiquette?
Golfers should avoid distracting fellow golfers. Golfers should not run during play, but instead walk quickly but lightly during play and remain stationary while others play their shots. Players should be still and remain silent during a fellow player's pre-shot routine and subsequent shot.
What does the root fore mean?
earlierDefinition of fore- (Entry 6 of 6) 1a : earlier : beforehand foresee. b : occurring earlier : occurring beforehand foreshock. 2a : situated at the front : in front foreleg. b : front part of (something specified) forearm.
What does "fore" mean in golf?
Perhaps the most common usage of fore is when golfers hit the ball farther than they expected, or when they play a stroke without realizing that there is a golfer up ahead who might be in danger.
Where did the word "fore" come from?
There are several different theories. Two of the most commonly cited are that "fore" evolved from another golf word, forecaddie; and that "fore" has its origins in military usage.
How to hear a yell of fore?
When you hear a yell of fore, duck and cover. If you can dart behind a tree, crouch behind a golf cart or golf bag, do so. Put your hands and arms over your head and turn away from the direction of the yell.
Why do you yell "fore"?
If your shot is in danger of hitting or landing very close to another golfer or group of players on the golf course, you should yell "fore!". to warn players to watch out. Yelling "fore!". is considered good golf etiquette, but it's not just a courtesy to other golfers, it can serve to prevent injury. After all, a golf ball striking ...
How Did Fore Come into Golf?
Like anything in golf, where phrases come from is a bit of a mystery. The phrase fore, for example, is an old Scottish saying that meant lookout ahead. A forecaddie’s role in golf was to determine the ball’s placement during a match, and the golfer would yell that out to them to be on the lookout for where the ball was when they hit it.
Why is Fore Shouted in Golf?
Yelling out the phrase “fore” after a golf shot loudly alerts fans and players to be on the lookout for a traveling golf ball. For example, an errant shot that won’t land on the fairway must warn everyone that an incoming ball might be coming towards them.
Who Shouts out Fore in Golf?
During PGA and LPGA Tours, the golfer, caddie, or other officials are the ones who might yell out fore. Usually, you will find spotters throughout the sides of the greenway watching the flight of a golf ball in golf tournaments.
What Should You Do if You Hear Fore in Golf?
If you are on the fairway and hear fore out in the distance, you might naturally look up to find the ball. However, the better option is to duck and cover your face just in case.
Why Do Golfers Yell Fore When They Hit a Shot?
Golfers yell out fore when they hit a bad shot to alert players and fans of an oncoming ball. Sometimes, the shot is excellent, and you hit it further than you thought. By warning the other players down the fairway that a ball is coming towards them, they will appreciate the heads up.
What if You Yell out Fore and Still Hit Someone?
During the Ryder Cup in 2018, Brooks Koepka hit a wayward shot into the crowd that left a spectator blind. Brooks did yell our fore numerous times, but the speed of the ball made it difficult for the spectator to move. While there is no official penalty for hitting a spectator, severe injuries can happen, so every person must pay attention.
Do You Need to Yell Fore on Every Shot?
You only need to yell our fore if there is a chance that the ball could strike another golfer or spectator. For example, you don’t need to yell out the word fore during a putt. Likewise, you don’t need to yell the phrase out if you hit a grounder or the ball travels only a short distance, and nobody will be around it.
What does "fore" mean in golf?
Fore is the warning call that alerts golfers that they may be in the way of an errand shot. An example of yelling fore is when you tee up on the first tee with all the eager spectators watching on and you hit an almighty slice towards the third fairway, you need to yell ‘Fore’ to let anyone on the third fairway know that they might be in danger and to tried to cover themselves as best they can.
How to shout fore on golf course?
Hen you hear it on the golf course, do not turn towards the shout but turn away and block the back of your head. Crouch down if you can and get behind a tree or a golf cart if possible. If you hit an errand shot, make sure to shout ‘Fore’ because golf balls can cause some serious damage even though they do compress on impact.
What does it mean when you shout for golf?
The immediate reaction of most people when they hear a shout of for is to cover their heads from protection from a potentially incoming, usually stray, golf ball. Fore is the shout that is traditionally used in golf to warn other golfers on the course that you have mishit your shot and it could potentially be heading in their direction in order ...
Why do they say "fore"?
The word fore may have it’s origins from the military when artillery men would yell ‘Warning Be ’Fore’ so any infantry could protect themselves and not be exposed to dangerous shell explosions. While a golf ball is not exactly a projectile of war, it can cause a lot of damage if it hits you on the face or the head.
Can a golf ball kill you?
While a golf ball is not exactly a projectile of war, it can cause a lot of damage if it hits you on the face or the head. Check out our article on whether a golf ball can kill you to find out more but just know that while most deaths on the course are caused by heart attacks and even some by golf carts, there is still a chance ...
Is golf a gentleman's game?
Golf Is A Gentleman’s Game. Golf is a game steeped in proud tradition and one of those traditions is to yell fore when you hit a bad shot towards anyone else on the course. It is good etiquette and you would expect another player on the course to do the same if they hit the ball towards you.
Why do golfers yell "fore"?
For professional golfers, they also yell "Fore!". to indicate if they've hit a ball that's going to potentially hit someone in the gallery watching them play.
What does "caddie" mean in golf?
The term caddie is a shortening of the term forecaddie, which meant the person that went ahead of the golfer to hunt for their ball once struck. Another theory contends yelling "Fore!". was designed to warn the forecaddie that the ball was going in a particularly bad direction.
Do pro golfers point in the direction of their ball?
Many times, pro golfers will also point in the direction in which their ball is heading so those who may not hear them shout from hundreds of yards away could at least see them pantomime and know that they should be on the lookout for an incoming ball.
Why do golfers shout fore?
This is a military term used by artillerymen to warn the infantrymen ahead of them on the frontline to watch out that missiles were about to be launched.
Is "fore" a word?
The long answer is that most agree that fore is a foreshortening of another word or phrase. However the etymologists cannot agree which word or phrase. But even that general statement would be contested by some. Fore as a word in itself means “situated in front” and it is argued that a cry of fore!
What Does Fore in Golf Mean?
Essentially, fore is a warning to everyone on the golf course that a ball has been hit and is coming their way instead of the intended area. Another way to define fore is by some synonyms such as “watch out” or “heads up”.
The History of Fore
1. It is believed that the term “forecaddie” is how the term “fore” came to be. In the 1700’s and 1800’s “forecaddie” was someone who was hired by golf courses or golfers to keep track of where balls landed. Nowadays this position is called a spotter.
What Should I Do If Someone Yells Fore?
When in the danger zone don’t turn towards the person yelling fore and look for the ball. If you do that, you may get hit in the face or other areas of your body. Instead you will want to “duck and cover” by getting behind a tree, golf cart, golf bag etc. You will then cover your head with your hands and arms.
How Did 'Fore' Enter The Golf Lexicon?
When You Should Yell Fore on The Golf Course
- It's pretty simple: If you hit a shot and see that your golf ball is heading in the direction of other golfers—and there's a chance, even just a slim one, that your ball will land among or close to those golfers—yell out "fore!" Yell it loud and yell it proud. Yelling it doesn't do anybody any good if you don't scream it loud enough to be heard, af...
'Fore Right' and 'Fore Left'
- Should you add anything to "fore" to provide more information to the golfers who might be in danger? At professional tournaments, where holes are tightly lined by fans, it's common to hear tour pros yell "fore right" or "fore left," letting the fans known which direction the ball is traveling. That way, the fans on the left side or right side of the hole know to take cover. Adding "right" or "l…
What to Do When You Hear 'Fore!'
- The instinct for many golfers, when we hear a "fore!" ring out across the golf course, is to turn in the direction of the yell and look for any golf ball that might be heading our way. Bad idea. You don't want to get hit in the face (or any other sensitive areas). When you hear a yell of fore, duck and cover. If you can dart behind a tree, crouch behind a golf cart or golf bag, do so. Put your ha…