Why Do Golfers Yell FORE! - Independent Golf Reviews (2024)

FAQs

Why do people shout fore in golf? ›

When the golfer would strike the ball they would yell “forecaddie” so that they would know to keep an eye out for the oncoming ball. As golf developed more the term “forecaddie” was shortened to “fore” and is now used to warn golfers to “look out” because there's a possibility that the ball is coming their way.

The word 'fore' is Scottish in origin, and is a shortened version of the word 'before' or 'afore. ' The old Scottish warning, essentially meaning "look out ahead," most probably originated in military circles, where it was used by artillery men as a warning to troops in forward positions.

If you see your ball, or your playing partner's ball, heading to an area where other players are located, make sure to loudly shout “fore!” to warn them.

In Scottish dialects, the word “fore” was used to mean “before” or “ahead.” When golfers wanted to alert others about an incoming golf ball, they would shout “fore” to let them know to watch out.

"Fore!", originally a Scots interjection, is used to warn anyone standing or moving in the flight of a golf ball. The etymology of the word in this usage is uncertain. Mention of the term in an 1881 British Golf Museum indicates that the term was in use at least as early as that period.

Typically, the immediate response is to duck, cover, run, throw your arms above your head, or some combination of those things. Because after all, the idea of a golf ball hurtling towards you is scary.

According to this version, the term was named after a locker room attendant at the club named John A. 'Buddy' Mulligan, who worked at the club during the 1930s and was known for replaying shots, particularly on the first tee.

In the 19th century, the term “bird” was the equivalent of “cool” or “excellent” – golf scholars believe this is where the term came from. An Atlantic City, New Jersey course claims that the term originated there in 1903. Definition: A score of one under par.

So at Yarmouth and elsewhere the ground score became known as the bogey score. A 'bogle' was a Scottish goblin as far back as the 16th Century and a Bogey-man was a widely used term for a goblin or devil. Golfers of the time considered they were playing a Mister Bogey when measuring themselves against the bogey score.

Birdie. A hole score of one stroke fewer than par (one under par, −1) is known as a birdie, e.g. 2 strokes to complete a par 3 hole or 4 strokes on a par 5 hole.

Is yelling or hitting worse? ›

The effects of frequent verbal discipline and insults were comparable to those of physical discipline (like spanking and hitting) over the course of the two-year study. This topic has long been explored by child psychologists.

'Fore' originates from 'Forecaddie'

' Thanks to the placement of forecaddies, you can imagine the considerable distance between them and the golfers. If a golfer hit a ball and it headed in the forecaddie's direction, the golfer would shout “forecaddie” to alert them.

For golf purposes, the USGA defined "par" as, "the score that an expert player would be expected to make for a given hole. Par means expert play under ordinary weather conditions, allowing two strokes on the putting green."

If you ever do accidentally throw toward another player or bystander, loudly yell 'FORE' and be sure to follow up and apologise.

Criers and whiners is known by many different names including No Alibis, Replay, Play it Again, and Mulligans. As the latter would suggest, it's a game of mulligans with handicaps being translated into the number of do-overs golfers are allowed during the round.

The yips are involuntary wrist spasms that occur most commonly when golfers are trying to putt. However, the yips also can affect people who play other sports — such as cricket, darts and baseball. It was once thought that the yips were always associated with performance anxiety.

Originally, golfers would yell "Fore!" when teeing off. Today, it's more often used when a golfer hits a wayward shot toward someone not expecting a golf ball coming their way. In either case, its meaning is something along the lines of "Head's up!" or "Watch out!"