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why do we yell fore in golf

by Jadyn Torphy V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Why Do Golfers Yell Fore?

  • Meaning. Use of the term "fore" dates back to 1878, according to the Oxford Dictionary. Golfers use this term...
  • Yelling. When you hit a shot off the tee, fairway or even from the rough and the ball flies toward an adjacent fairway,...
  • Reaction. During play, you might hear fore being yelled near you. When you hear the word, your immediate...

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!".

Full Answer

Why do golfers Shout "fore" when teeing off?

Jan 29, 2018 · 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. Perhaps they originally yelled out "forecaddie," but, ultimately, the shortened version "fore" is what caught on.

Why do golfers yell Fore as a warning?

Nov 05, 2020 · Often times, golfers yell "Fore!" along with the direction in which their ball is heading to make it clearer where the ball is going and to …

Why do they say four in golf?

Yelling “fore” is not just a matter of common golfing courtesy. Rather, yelling “fore” is about protecting yourself from personal injury liability. So when you hit your next slice or hook (as every golfer will), before slamming your club or cursing the …

Why do people yell 4 in golf?

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.

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Why do they holler Fore at a golf course?

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 golfers yell for?

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).Oct 5, 2018

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.

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.

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.

What does it mean to yell fore in golf?

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.

Where did the word "fore" come from?

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.

What Fore Means in Golf?

Usage of the golf term “fore” can be traced back to 1878 and is short for the term “before”. The dictionary has “fore” as a synonym to the word Ahead, and can be understood to mean “look out ahead.”

What Happens Next?

After yelling fore, continue to watch your golf ball’s flight so you can see approximately where it lands. If the ball lands close to people, a few things can happen next.

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 ...

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.

Who is Brent Kelley?

Brent Kelley. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. our editorial process. Brent Kelley. Updated April 01, 2019. "Fore"—actually, fore! —is a word of warning yelled out by a golfer who hits an errant shot.

Why do soldiers use the word "fore"?

After the front row of soldiers fired their weapons, the rows behind them would take turns firing. Historians speculate that soldiers used fore as a warning to those in the front to protect their heads while the back ranks fired.

What does "deke" mean in hockey?

Hockey players commonly “deke” defenders, faking them out to get by. The MLB has a whole idiom devoted just to describing hit balls, with terms like “ can of corn ” and “frozen rope.”. One of the most distinctive pieces of sports terminology comes from the world of golf.

Who was the cry of fore?

Some golf historians contend that the cry of fore dates back to the 16th century. As evidence, they point to the Scottish protestant reformer John Knox. In one of his writings, Knox relates a story about the tactics used to defend the city of Leith. When an enemy approached, one of the defenders would cry out, “Ware Before!” This warned his fellows to lay down so the guns could fire over their head.

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!

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