What does the term fore mean in golf?
Fore (golf) The tough rubber core of a golf ball makes it a hazard to others following a wayward shot, despite its weight not exceeding 1.620 oz (45.9 g). "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.
Where did the word fore in golf originate?
Mar 31, 2022 · What is the definition of fore in golf? Fore, Golf Term. “Fore”: A loud warning shouted when a ball may hit other players or spectators. It is customary for a golfer to give a “fore” call while his ball is in the air if there is any chance of it striking someone. Other players in the group may yell “fore” as well.
What is the origin of calling "fore" in golf?
Feb 23, 2022 · The term is a short form of the word “before,” which is a synonym to “ahead.”. Thus, fore literally means, “look out ahead.”. Golfers use this term immediately following an errant shot as a way to warn other golfers that a ball might be heading their way.
When was the word fore used in golf?
Oct 05, 2020 · A golfer yelling the word “fore” is something you’ve likely seen in TV or movies. But if you’re new to the game of golf you might be wondering what does fore means in golf. The word itself is simply a warning for golfers that a golf ball may be coming their way. This occurs you are golfing and you hit a shot towards another group of golfers.
What does fore mean in golf?
watch out!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.Apr 7, 2011
Why do you yell fore on a golf course?
A possible origin of the word is the term "fore-caddie", a caddie waiting down range from the golfer to find where the ball lands. These caddies were often warned about oncoming golf balls by a shout of the term "fore-caddie" which was eventually shortened to just "fore!".
What do you do when you hear fore in golf?
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 hands and arms over your head and turn away from the direction of the yell.Jan 4, 2019
Why is it called Fore?
The term is a short form of the word "before," which is a synonym to "ahead." Thus, fore literally means, "look out ahead." Golfers use this term immediately following an errant shot as a way to warn other golfers that a ball might be heading their way.
Where does the term Fore come from?
Theory 1: Evolution from 'Forecaddie' Historians believe fore, as a warning, evolved from 'Forecaddie' – a person who accompanies a group of golfers around the golf course, going forward on each hole to be in a position to quickly locate the group members' shots.Oct 5, 2018
What does Fore right mean?
going straight ahead1 dialectal, England : going straight ahead : straightforward, direct the foreright path. 2 dialectal : headstrong, obstinate. foreright. preposition.
What is a green in golf?
Definition of putting green : a smooth grassy area at the end of a golf fairway containing the hole also : a similar area usually with many holes that is used for practice.
When was the word "fore" first used?
Fore! The etymology for the word "Fore!". is not absolutely certain. The Oxford English Dictionary records its first use in 1878 as a warning cry to people in front of a golf stroke and, like most people, believes it is an abbreviation of the word 'before'.
Why did golfers use "forecaddies"?
From Forecaddie! to Fore! Because golf balls were expensive, golfers employed "Forecaddies" to stand where the ball might land and reduce the number of lost balls , as is done in tournaments today. In 1824 the Rules of the Thistle Golf Club recount a conversation which a youthful Mr Tytler of Woodhouselee, an 'Antiquary' in Edinburgh, ...
Who was the fore caddie?
Dickson was then performing the duty of what is now commonly called a fore-cady. Robert Clark repeated the story in his history in 1875 as 'what is now commonly called a fore-caddie'.
What was the East Gate of Ramsay's Fort?
In researching the history and layout of Ramsay's Fort, it became clear that the East Gate directly overlooked the Links where golfers were playing, as best they could , among all the military preparations and sieges that went on in the middle of the 16th Century.
What is the fore in golf?
Fore (golf) The tough rubber core of a golf ball makes it a hazard to others following a wayward shot, despite its weight not exceeding 1.620 oz (45.93g). "Fore!", originally a Scots interjection, is used to warn anyone standing or moving in the flight of a golf ball.
Where did the term "fore caddie" come from?
A possible origin of the word is the term "fore-caddie", a caddie waiting down range from the golfer to find where the ball lands. These caddies were often warned about oncoming golf balls by a shout ...
Where Does The Word Fore Come From
The word “fore” is believed to come from the word “fore caddie”. Fore caddies were employees of the golf courses. They would travel in front of the golfers throughout their round in order to watch where the ball would land.
When to yell Fore On The Golf Course
It is important to remember that you should yell “fore” whenever you believe your ball even has a slight chance of landing near another group of golfers.
What Does Fore Left And Fore Right Mean?
Fore left and Fore right are terms that are typically used when their is a gallery watching. These terms simply identify which direction the ball is going.
Conclusion What Does Fore Mean In Golf
We hope you enjoyed our guide to understanding the term “fore” in golf. If you have any more questions about this term or golf in general please be sure to reach out in the comments below.
What is the meaning of "fore" in golf?
Fore is a golf term used as a warning or to alert people on the golf course of an oncoming ball or of a shot you have made. It is believed to have evolved from forecaddie, a term that describes the person that walks with golfers checking each hole to pinpoint a golfer’s shots.
Where did the term "fore" come from?
Another theory for the origin of the term ‘fore’ is that it has a military attachment. In the 17th and 18th centuries (when golf was taking hold in Britain), the infantry advanced its formation as artillery batteries fired from behind over the top of infantrymen.
What are the terms used in golf?
Golf, just like any sport has got various terms it uses. They include birdie, par, eagle, double eagle, bogey, double and triple bogey and fore among others. If you are a golf player or an aspiring one, it is important you understand what these terms mean to avoid confusion.
What is a forecaddie?
A forecaddie or a Caddie is a person that accompanies golfers around the golf course .
What is a forecaddie in golf?
A forecaddie, most simply, is a person positioned up ahead on a golf hole whose job is to track golfers' shots as each plays his or her golf ball. Contrary to what you might think, the forecaddie is not a caddie.
What is the job of a forecaddie?
The forecaddie's job is to keep golfers moving on the course by keeping track of all golf balls in play and letting each player in the group know where his or her ball is located. For example, one player in the group hits his ball into high rough.
What does "caddy" mean in golf?
It's the spelling used by the governing bodies of golf, the USGA and R&A, and used in the rules. However, "caddy" and "forecaddy, " ending in "y," are frequently used by fans and non-golfers, and those spellings are even creeping into golf publications.
Does a forecaddie carry clubs?
The forecaddie does not carry anyone's clubs, does not assist golfers in decision-making on things such as club selection, and so on. And while forecaddies can be assigned to work with a specific group of golfers throughout a round, they are often assigned to a specific hole on a golf course rather than to specific golfers.
Do golfers encounter forecaddies?
So, as you can see, golfers who play in organized tournaments are far more likely to encounter a forecaddie that those who don't. Golfers who only play recrea tionally rarely encounter forecaddies. (Although a passing course marshal might temporarily act as one.)
Is a forecaddie an outside agency?
He is an outside agency.". Because a forecaddie is defined as an outside agency in the rules, if a golf ball at rest is moved by a forecaddie there is no penalty to the golfer and the ball should be replaced ( Rule 18-1 ). If a forecaddie deflects or stops a ball in motion, it is a rub of the green and the ball is played as it lies - ...
Can you hire a forecaddie for a golf course?
Some upscale and resort golf courses do offer the option of a forecaddie that a group of golfers can hire . The R&A, in its guidance to tournament organizers, says that : "The Committee may position forecaddies in areas where there is a possibility of balls being lost, or course marshals/ball spotters may be asked to fulfill this role.
What does "fore" mean in golf?
Today, this shortened version is the acceptable way to warn other golfers, spectators, or other parties that may be in the way of your shot.
What is a forecaddie in golf?
As mentioned earlier the forecaddie is a substantial distance away from where the golfer plays his shot. To enable effective communication between the forecaddie and the golfers they frequently use hand signals to indicate where the ball ended up.
What does a caddie do?
A caddie takes full responsibility for his golfers’ equipment by transporting it to the golf cart, carrying the bag if not on a cart, raking bunkers, replacing divots tending the flagstick, and cleaning the golfer’s equipment. A forecaddie will not be responsible for any of these tasks. Hiring a forecaddie is more cost-effective than hiring ...
Why do golfers shout out "forecaddie"?
Since the forecaddie was a reasonable distance away from the area where the golfers teed off, the golfers would yell out “forecad die!” warning him that the ball is on its way and he must take notice and mark the ball position. As the game evolved golfers started shortening the warning shouted to “fore”.
What are the rules of golf?
The rules of golf are clearly defined as an outside agency and not employed by the golfer directly. if the forecaddie moves a ball that has come to rest, there will be no penalty to the golfer, but the ball must be replaced in its original resting position. Should a caddie that is employed by the golfer move the ball after it has come to rest, ...
What is the purpose of a forecaddie?
The forecaddie does not provide the full set of services to a specific golfer, but his main purpose is to find and mark the ball for every golfer in the group. Typically, a forecaddie will not offer any advice to any of the golfers in a tournament, although he is not prevented from doing so in a non-tournament environment.
What does it mean when a forecaddie stops?
Stop – the forecaddie puts both hands in the air with the palms facing the golfer. This indicates that the golfer should not proceed with the shot until further notice. Ball in tall grass – the forecaddie joins both hands towards pointing to his left side to indicate that the ball ended up in the long grass.
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 …
'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…
from Forecaddie! to Fore!
- Because golf balls were expensive, golfers employed "Forecaddies" to stand where the ball might land and reduce the number of lost balls, as is done in tournaments today. In 1824 the Rules of the Thistle Golf Club recount a conversation which a youthful Mr Tytler of Woodhouselee, an 'Antiquary' in Edinburgh, had with the aged Andrew Dickson when he said that he had performin…
Shoot Over Their Heads!
- A second explanation, still given by the USGA, derives from the military battle craft of musket days, when rank after rank would fire fusillades, some over the heads of those in front. It was speculated that the term Fore! might have been used to warn those in front to keep their heads down. Modern historians pour cold water on this theory, partly because it is difficult to relate it t…
Ware Before! - The John Knox Story
- There is a third explanation, which appears utterly implausible, but which is an outside possibility. It derives from a story told by John Knox (1505?-1572) the 'hell-fire' protestant reformer. He tells the tale, as only hell-fire preachers can, of someone arriving at the East Port (east gate) of Leith. This story was noticed by Dr Neilson and subsequently reported by Robert Browning in his book …