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why they yell fore in golf

by Montana Skiles Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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!".

How Do You Yell Fore In Golf?

You should yell fore loudly and clearly when you hit your shot fairway, off the tee, or from the rough. Shouting at the top of your voice once should be enough.

Do All Golfer Yell Fore?

Yelling fore isn’t some type of golf rule set in stone, which is why not all golfers shout at the top of their voices. However, you do at least have to give some kind of signal to others that a golf ball is coming in their direction.

What to Expect After Yelling Fore

Yelling fore during play is a good way to get people to stay alert. It creates an immediate awareness that they should look for an incoming ball and shield themselves.

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.

Other Theories On The Origin Of The Term

Not everyone agrees with this theory. Some claim that the term is derived from a military background. According to this theory, artillery forces had to fire over the heads of the infantry soldiers and would shout out “beware before” to warn them of the incoming artillery fire. This was in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Modern Use

While initially, the alert was only used for tee shots it is now used to warn anyone ahead that they are at risk of an errant ball. Despite being small and light, no one wants to be hit by a golf ball. Even a relatively soft shot can cause a lot of damage. It is dangerous to the person being stuck and also distressing to the player.

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 ...

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.

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.

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.

When was the word "fore" used in golf?

The use of the term ‘fore’ in golf dates as far back as 1878 with its inclusion in the Oxford English dictionary, around the time golf was establishing its foothold in Scottish and English cultures.

What does "fore" mean in the military?

An article from scottishgolfhistory.org concludes the term is an abbreviation of the phrase ‘Beware Before’ and ‘fore’ is subsequently “derived from an artillery term warning gunners to stand clear”.

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.

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.".

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 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 ...

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What Is The Origin of The Term “Fore”?

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While there are a few theories, the most accepted understanding comes from the use of forecaddies which dates back to the 1700 and 1800s. These caddies would stand ahead of the players to spot where the ball lands after the tee shot. These days, we call them spotters. A forecaddie will help to speed up the game, help th
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Other Theories on The Origin of The Term

  • Not everyone agrees with this theory. Some claim that the term is derived from a military background. According to this theory, artillery forces had to fire over the heads of the infantry soldiers and would shout out “beware before” to warn them of the incoming artillery fire. This was in the 17th and 18th centuries. At this time, golf was rapidly growing in popularity in Britain and …
See more on golfspan.com

Modern Use

  • While initially, the alert was only used for tee shots it is now used to warn anyone ahead that they are at risk of an errant ball. Despite being small and light, no one wants to be hit by a golf ball. Even a relatively soft shot can cause a lot of damage. It is dangerous to the person being stuck and also distressing to the player. Even pro golfers use the term considering the size of the galle…
See more on golfspan.com

What to Do If You Hear A Shout of “Fore!”?

  • Well, this all depends on how aware you are of the situation and the environment. It is an important warning. The last thing you want to do is to look directly towards the call as this could result in an even worse hit. Duck, take cover and access the situation. Always try to be aware of the players behind you.
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