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.
Full Answer
Why do golfers yell'Fore'?
Why golfers yell "Fore!" Golfers yell "Fore!" when they hit a shot so bad or so far offline that their flying golf ball could land very close to or strike golfers located elsewhere on the golf course. For professional golfers, they also yell "Fore!"
Should you yell “Fore” when you hit your ball?
If you cant see the area where your ball is going to land and their could be golfers there, yell ‘FORE’ anyway, it is better to be safe than sorry.
What do you do when you hear someone yell 'Fore' on the course?
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).
Why do golfers say “fore” when they hit a bad shot?
In the event a golfer hits a bad shot and it’s headed in the direction of people, it’s golf decency to alert those people to look out by yelling the term “fore.” If you do happen to hit a bad shot like on a tee shot, make sure to yell the word “fore” loudly and clearly so that golfers ahead have no confusion about what they just heard.
Why do people shout 4 on a golf course?
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.
Why do golfers holler 4?
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).
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).
Why do golfers wear a glove on one hand?
The main reason golfers wear a glove is because of the added grip. If you're a right-handed golfer you'll wear a glove on your left hand. The reason golfers only wear one glove is that you won't get any added benefit from wearing two.
Why do they say fore please at the Masters?
In golf “fore” is used to draw attention to a player who is about to hit. So Harison used “fore please” to get the attention of anyone in the vicinity. He then announced the name of the competitor with no frills.
Why do golf balls have dimples?
Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.
What does eagle mean in golf?
2-under parAn eagle in golf is a score that is achieved when you are 2-under par. For example, you need to do it in one stroke to score an “eagle” on a par-3 hole and two strokes on a par-4 hole. An eagle is a good indicator of advanced gameplay and is typically not achieved until the professional level.
What does golf stand for?
The word 'golf' is not an acronym for anything. Rather, it derives linguistically from the Dutch word 'kolf' or 'kolve,' meaning quite simply 'club.
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.
What is the word fore in golf?
Another term you might hear on the course attached to the word fore is the word left or right after the golfer yells fore . If a parallel hole is next to the hole you are playing, it will often be headed in the opposite direction.
Is golf a gentleman sport?
Golf is known as a gentleman and gentle lady sport, people are expected to play the game with class, dignity and respect. Golf has been around for many years and when on the course safety is every golfer’s responsibility.
What does "fore" mean in golf?
The prefix "fore-" originated during the Middle Ages and, in general, indicates that something is "ahead" or "in front of.". "Foremost," "foretold," "forerunner" and "foreman," for example, all mean something or someone that is initial or first. In the 1700s and 1800s, the golf term "forecaddie" described a person hired by golfers ...
What is a forecaddie in golf?
Although most golfers now only hire a caddie to carry their clubs, forecaddies are still used in professional golf tournaments, but they are more commonly referred to as spotters .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
When did Patrick Reed hit the 12th tee?
Patrick Reed of the United States hits off the 12th tee and yells fore during singles matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on October 2, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota.