Why do some golfers yell'Fore'?
Golfers yell 'Fore!' to warn golfers or other people ahead to watch out for an errant golf ball. Fredrik Skold/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. "Fore" is another word for "ahead" or "forward" (think of a ship's fore and aft).
What do golfers yell after hitting an errant shot?
Sometimes after hitting an errant shot that may be a danger to other players, a golfer -- not having much time to think -- will yell out a term besides fore. These could be "left," "right," "down," or even a simple, "look out."
Is it legal to yell'Fore'after a golf shot?
The word "fore" has even come into play in legal cases. A New York appeals court in 2009 ruled that a Long Island golfer had no legal obligation to yell "fore" after hitting a shot that blinded a friend in one eye. The state Appellate Division held in Anand v.
Why do golf balls come down in the air?
But as Live Science explains, the most common origin story involves forecaddies. Basically, before a golfer took a swing, their forecaddie would run along to the general vicinity where the ball was expected to end up and watch it come down.
What do golfers shout to warn about incoming balls?
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.
What word do golfers yell if they hit a ball that is going in the direction of another player?
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 is the proper golf term that you yell as a warning to other golfers that they may get hit by your golf ball?
When the golfer would strike the ball they would yell “forecaddie” so that they would know to keep an eye out for the oncoming ball. As golf developed more the term “forecaddie” was shortened to “fore” and is now used to warn golfers to “look out” because there's a possibility that the ball is coming their way. 2.
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...•
Why do golfers yell fire?
Over time, the term shortened "fore" and is currently used to warn others that they'd better make sure they're not in the struck ball's path .
Why do they say fore please at the Masters?
He just wanted everyone around to know who was playing, and the respectful onlookers were quiet enough to hear him. The word 'fore' in golf is meant as a word or warning to those standing nearby or ahead of where a player is in intending to hit, so it's easy to command attention.
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 do you do when you hear fore in golf?
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.
What to yell when your golf ball hits someone?
What to Yell If Your Golf Ball May Hit Someone. Make sure to yell "fore" during that next errant shot. Most golfers dream of the day they can knock every drive down the fairway, every fairway shot onto the green and so on. Unfortunately, even for professionals, errant shots are a byproduct of a game as precise as golf.
What does it mean when a golfer yells "fore"?
Any time a golfer hits a shot he believes could potentially strike another golfer, that golfer is to yell out, "fore." It is viewed as a form of proper golf etiquette to do so.
What is an errant shot in golf?
Unfortunately, even for professionals, errant shots are a byproduct of a game as precise as golf. Golf is also a sport of etiquette, which is why a special term has been coined that golfers should use the next time they hit an errant shot near other players.
Why is "fore" short?
This shortening of the term is necessary due to a golf ball's velocity once struck by a club. 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.
Is it legal to yell "fore"?
The word "fore" has even come into play in legal cases. A New York appeals court in 2009 ruled that a Long Island golfer had no legal obligation to yell "fore" after hitting a shot that blinded a friend in one eye. The state Appellate Division held in Anand v.
How Do You Yell Fore In Golf?
You should yell fore loudly and clearly when you hit your shot fairway, off the tee, or from the rough. Shouting at the top of your voice once should be enough.
Do All Golfer Yell Fore?
Yelling fore isn’t some type of golf rule set in stone, which is why not all golfers shout at the top of their voices. However, you do at least have to give some kind of signal to others that a golf ball is coming in their direction.
What to Expect After Yelling Fore
Yelling fore during play is a good way to get people to stay alert. It creates an immediate awareness that they should look for an incoming ball and shield themselves.
Why do golfers yell "fore"?
Golfers yell 'Fore!' to warn golfers or other people ahead to watch out for an errant golf ball. Fredrik Skold/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism.
What does "fore" mean in golf?
What can be said with certainty, however, is that the term does originate in the fact that "fore" means "ahead" or "before," and, used by a golfer, is a warning to those ahead that a golf ball is coming their way.
What is a forecaddie in golf?
A forecaddie is a person who accompanies a grouping of golfers around the golf course, going forward on each hole to be in a position to pinpoint the locations of the group members' shots. If a member of the group hits an errant shot, the forecaddie tracks down the ball and lets the golfer know its location.
When was the word "fore" used in golf?
One reason is that its use goes back a long time. 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. But we know it goes back even farther.
Is golf a military term?
Has a Military Origin. Another popular theory, one cited by the USGA Museum, is that the term has a military origin. In warfare of the 17th and 18th century (a time period when golf was really taking hold in Britain), infantry advanced in formation while artillery batteries fired from behind, over the heads of the infantrymen.
Answer
Golfers yell fore when it appears others are in danger of being hit by their golf ball.
More about why golfers yell fore
In modern golf the call of fore is used to alert others that they might be struck by a golf ball heading their way. Most often it will be due a stray shot missing it's target but it could also be if someone has wandered onto the player's fairway and is not aware of their shot.
