
Its purpose is to warn players ahead of you that a golf ball is headed their way. people call the word "four" just to warn other people that are golfing to get out of the way or they might get hit with the golf ball
Why do people call the word four when referring to golf?
people call the word "four" just to warn other people that are golfing to get out of the way or they might get hit with the golf ball
Why do golfers say “fore” when they hit the ball?
It is good etiquette and you would expect another player on the course to do the same if they hit the ball towards you. 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.
Why do they call it'fore'in golf?
"Fore" is in use by golfers around the world. 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.
What is the meaning of the golf term'Beware four'?
It's ''fore'' they're calling, not ''four.'' It's likely a shortened version of ''beware before,'' but no one knows the etymology for sure. Its purpose is to warn players ahead of you that a golf ball is headed their way.

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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 ...
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.
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?
The term is a short form of the word "before," which is a synonym to "ahead.". Thus, fore literally means, "look out ahead.".
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.
What is the back nine of a golf course?
Back Nine – This refers to the last 9 holes of a typical 18 hole course, also known as heading in. Backswing – As the term suggests, this is simply the action taking when swinging back before striking the golf ball. It is important for distance and accuracy.
What is a local rule in golf?
Local Rule – Specific rule or rules that are not mainstream and only for that particular golf course. Long – A term for a golfer who hits the ball far (Dustin Johnson). Long Game – Refers to hitting long irons, woods, hybrids, and driver. Lob Wedge – A type of wedge that is usually in the 60 to 64-degree range.
What is a baseball grip?
Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.
Why is backspin important in golf?
It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.
What is an ace in golf?
Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.
What is a fat shot in golf?
The specifics and colors can vary from course to course. Fat – A fat shot is when the club strikes the ground before the ball.
What is a big dog in golf?
Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling. Bladed Shot – A chip shot from just off the green purposely hit with the bottom of the club. Played often from when the ball rests against the collar of the green. Runs like a putt.
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!
Why is it called a bite in golf?
Bite: If a ball has lots of backspin it is said to “bite” because it stays close to where it landed or may spin back toward the player. If a ball appears to be going past the hole a player may shout “pray” or a more humorous way can be to shout, “grow teeth!”. Bogey: A score of one over par. Bracket:
What is the best game of golf?
A golfer’s best game which is executed on a regular basis. Hitting the ball into the hole in one swing of the club. When the putted ball refuses to fall into the hole. A golf shot which travels a considerably longer distance than planned.
What is a cabbage in golf?
Cabbage (aka Spinach): If you hit the ball into inescapable thick rough. Can: Refers to the “Cup” on the Green. Carpet: Term which refers to the “Green”. Casual water: A build-up of water on the golf course after heavy rain that is not part of a water hazard. The player can move the ball without penalty.
What is a stick in golf?
A stroke made above the equator of the ball which is mis-hit, resulting in a line-drive trajectory. Sticks: The plural “sticks” means golf clubs not to be confused with flagstick. Stroke play: A golf format in which the objective is to finish the game using the fewest total shots.
What does "double eagle" mean in golf?
Albatross (aka Double Eagle): This means a score of three strokes under Par, which as you can imagine is very rare. All square: Tied score in match play. Army Golf: Like a marching rhythm: Left-right-left, in the game of golf it means hitting the ball out of bounds to the left then to the right the next time.
What is Mickey Mouse golf?
Mickey Mouse course: Refers to a course with many short holes and bad maintenance. Mulligan: Referring to a second shot from the Tee, after a bad first shot. Match play: A golf format where the goal is to win individual holes rather than tallying the total of all the strokes.
What is golf slang?
Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.
What is a four jacked golf ball?
Four-Jack: When it takes you four putts to get your ball in the hole, you four-jacked it. Fried Egg: A golf ball that has plugged, or buried, in a sand bunker, so that the top of the ball resembles the yolk in a fried egg. Frog Hair: The fringe around a putting green.
What is a back door putt?
Back-door putt: A putt that catches the edge of the hole, spins around to the back of the hole, and falls into the cup off that back edge of the hole. Barkie: A bet won by a golf who makes par on a hole after his golf ball hit a tree. Also called a "woody" or "woodie" (and sometimes spelled "barky").
What is a golf cart jockey?
Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...
What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?
Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.
What does "off the deck" mean in golf?
Off the Deck: A stroke played this way means the golf ball is sitting on the ground, as opposed to a tee. This phrase is typically used when talking about hitting one's driver off the fairway — "hitting driver off the deck.".
What is the golf club called when you cheat?
Hand Wedge: The "club" a golfer uses when he cheats by picking up the golf ball and tossing it into a better spot. Sometimes called a "hand mashie.". Hangman: A score of 9 on a hole. Because the numeral "9" looks like a person hanging from a noose in the children's fill-in-the-blanks game called Hangman. Sort of.

How Did 'Fore' Enter The Golf Lexicon?
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 don't scream it loud enough to be heard, after all. Perhaps the most common usage of fore is wh…
'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 th...
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…