Why Do Golfers Yell “Fore!”? (2024)

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Have You Ever Wondered...

  • Why do golfers yell "Fore!"?
  • What is the origin of the term "fore"?
  • When do golfers yell "Fore!"?

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Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Dawn. Dawn Wonders, “Why do golfers need it quiet when they play when other athletes play with lots of noise?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Dawn!

We were wandering through the Wonderopolis woods the other day when we overheard a couple of beavers whispering in the weeds:

Carl: Dave, are you sure we don't need those long sticks to play golf?

Dave: No way, Carl! I told you we can just use our tails to hit the ball.

Carl: Okay, then. Here goes!

Dave: Woah, buddy! You forgot to yell "Fore!"

Carl: "Fore?" What for?

Dave: I don't know. I just heard humans yelling it when I snatched this ball from the golf course.

Carl: People are so weird.

Dave: Tell me about it…

We didn't stick around long enough to the beavers finish their golf game, but their conversation did get us to WONDERing. Exactly why is it that golfers yell, "Fore!"?

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!"

This makes sense, since "fore" is a prefix that means "forward" or "ahead." You can think of yelling "Fore!" as a way of forewarning other golfers. But how did golfers come to use that word as a warning?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary dates the use of the term "fore" in the context of golf to 1878. However, others believe it dates back to 1857 or even before.

The most popular theory is that golfers began using the term "forecaddie" to describe a person who would walk before golfers to keep track of where their golf balls landed. Golfers would yell "Forecaddie!" to warn this person when a ball was on its way.

Eventually, golfers shortened the term simply to "Fore!" Today, caddies are used to carry golf clubs for golfers. Professional tournaments still use people to keep track of where balls land, but these people are usually known as "spotters" now.

Wonder What's Next?

Oops! Did Jupiter spill something on itself? Find out tomorrow in Wonderopolis!

Try It Out

Are you ready to play some golf? Be sure to check out the following activities with a friend or family member:

  • Have you ever played golf? Give it a try today with a friend or family member. If you have access to a full-size golf course, enjoy playing 9 or 18 holes together. If not, take a trip to the nearest miniature golf course. Have fun and avoid those windmills!
  • "Fore!" isn't the only term you'll need to know if you're going to play golf. Check out Golf Terms for Beginners online to learn some of the other terminology unique to this sport. Which three terms are your favorites? Why?
  • If you can't make it to a real golf course and there are no miniature golf courses near your house, you may have to make your own. Is that possible? You bet it is! For guidance, read through How To Build a Mini-Golf Course at Home with Your Family online.

Wonder Sources

  • https://www.thoughtco.com/why-do-golfers-yell-fore-1561080 (accessed 2 Jan. 2019)
  • https://www.livescience.com/33190-why-do-golfers-yell-fore.html (accessed 2 Jan. 2019)

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Why Do Golfers Yell “Fore!”? (18)

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Why Do Golfers Yell “Fore!”? (2024)

FAQs

Why Do Golfers Yell “Fore!”? ›

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!"

Why do people yell fore in golf? ›

Golfers shout “fore” as a warning to those in front of them that a ball is coming their way. Fore is the World word for alerting players of possible Injury.. hope you understand.. You shout loudly “FORE!” when you hit an errant shot and it's headed towards a golfer or golfers as a warning to them.

Where did the golf term fore come from? ›

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.

Why don't pro golfers shout fore? ›

It would appear the tours are too scared to punish their star players and this is not good enough. Spectators should be as safe as possible on the golf course. Yet still, in this day and age, it is seen as acceptable to just sign a glove and a ball when a spectator is struck and hope they accept and don't complain.

Why shout mashed potatoes at golf? ›

It's a good one to yell, because it's nice and quick and it means absolutely nothing. ' Widmar's shout definitely popularised the term, if popular is quite the right word for a shout many find irritating.

What to do when someone yells fore in golf? ›

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.

Why is a bogey called a bogey? ›

This term comes from Scotland, though specific origin stories vary. Some say that Major Charles Wellman remarked that a player was “a regular Bogey man,” while others credit Scottish slang for goblins or devils. Regardless, the Scots can lay claim to the idea. Definition: A score of one over par.

Why is a birdie called a birdie? ›

"Birdie", meaning a score of one stroke under Par, comes from the early 20th century American slang term "bird", meaning anything excellent. The September 1911 edition of Maclean Magazine described a golf shot as - '"bird" straight down the course, about two hundred and fifteen yards. '

Why is it called a mulligan? ›

The most common explanation of the term's origin is that it was named after a golfer with the surname Mulligan, the main candidates being either David Mulligan or John A. "Buddy" Mulligan; however, no connection with these figures is recorded until several decades after the term entered common use.

Why can't you talk during golf? ›

Another way to show respect to other players is to stay quiet. Golf is a game of both physical skill and mental concentration, so distractions should be minimized. Talking while someone is in play is a surefire way to disrupt their swing.

What is the best hit in golf called? ›

[A] Ace When a player hits the ball directly from the tee into the hole with one stroke. Also called a hole in one. Albatross A hole played three strokes under par, also called a Double Eagle. Approach shot A shot intended to land the ball on the green.

Why do golfers wear one glove? ›

Ok, but why do modern players only wear one glove? The most popular reason is that the lead hand rests on the handle more than the lower hand, making it more susceptible to blisters and slipping while you swing. Wearing a glove helps prevent those issues and also reduces tension to free up the release of the hands.

What is 2 under par called? ›

Eagle. A hole score of two strokes fewer than par (two under par, −2) is known as an eagle, e.g. 2 strokes to complete a par 4 hole or 3 strokes on a par 5 hole.

What is the fore rule in golf? ›

Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them. If your ball is heading in a direction where there is a danger of it hitting someone, shout a warning immediately. The traditional word of warning is “Fore!”.

What is a warning cry in golf called? ›

The etymology for the word "Fore!" is not absolutely certain. The Oxford English Dictionary records its first use in 1878 as a warning cry to people in front of a golf stroke and, like most people, believes it is an abbreviation of the word 'before'.

What do you yell when you hit a bad golf ball? ›

You may hear golfers yell “fore” only after they've hit a bad shot…the term which translates to “watch out!” or “heads up!” Let's look at the word fore, f-o-r-e.

Why do people give gimmes in golf? ›

When a player has only a very short putt left to play, other players may grant a gimme (i.e., one stroke is counted), but the ball is not played. A gimme is a time-saving convention under the tacit assumption that the putt would not have been missed, e.g., when the ball is within a few inches of the hole.

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