If you have ever been out on a golf course, you have more than likely heard someone shouting fore and if you haven’t then you should come for a game with me sometime. 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.
Why do golfers Shout fore?
Why do golfers shout fore? The reason golfers shout fore is pretty simple. It’s used to alert - or forewarn - anyone standing or moving into the flight of a golf ball. By dictionary definition, 'fore' means: the front part of something, especially a ship (noun) or situated or placed in front (adjective) .
Why do they say “four” when you hit a golf ball?
They’re actually shouting “FORE” (not “four”) which most historians believe is a shortened version of “you are fore-warned.”. This is yelled when a golf ball is traveling off the normal path and may hit another person on the course in it’s path.
Do you ever hear people shout on the golf course?
If you have ever been out on a golf course, you have more than likely heard someone shouting fore and if you haven’t then you should come for a game with me sometime. 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.
What should you do when someone shouts ‘fore’ on the golf course?
While some shout are not serious the shout of ‘Fore’ is something to respect. 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.
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 ...
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 "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.
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 shout fore?
The reason golfers shout fore is pretty simple. It’s used to alert - or forewarn - anyone standing or moving into the flight of a golf ball. By dictionary definition, 'fore' means: the front part of something, especially a ship (noun) or situated or placed in front (adjective) .
What does the forecaddie do?
If a member of the group hits an errant shot, the forecaddie tracks down the ball and lets the golfer know its location. The forecaddie became particularly popular in the late 1800s, when golf balls were very expensive, meaning losing them wasn’t an option. So, the theory is that fore is just shortened from Forecaddie.
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.
What is the evolution of the term "fore"?
The most plausible theory about the evolution of "fore" as a golf term is that it is a shortening of "forecaddie.". A golfer who hit an errant shot, the theory goes, yelled to the forecaddie to make sure they were watching and tracking.
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.
When to shout fore?
Shouting the word once usually suffices, although it's acceptable to shout it repeatedly if you see your shot sailing toward another group of golfers. If you lose sight of your shot but know it was errant, yelling the term is suitable.
What does "fore" mean?
The term is a short form of the word "before," which is a synonym to "ahead.". Thus, fore literally means, "look out ahead.".
What is the best reaction to a yelled fore?
When you hear the word, your immediate reaction might be to look around for the incoming ball. The best reaction, however, is to duck and shield your face.
Should you yell "fore"?
Considerations. Golf etiquette dictates that golfers should always yell "fore" upon hitting a shot that carries the risk of hitting another golfer. As long as you yelled "fore," you did all you could to warn the other golfers. Convey this message to them in as polite a manner as possible.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 ...
