Fore (golf)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The tough rubber core of a golf ball makes it a hazard to others following a wayward shot, despite its weight not exceeding 45.93g
The tough rubber core of a golf ball makes it a hazard to others following a wayward shot, despite its weight not exceeding 45.93g

"Fore!" is shouted as a warning during a golf game when it appears possible that a golf ball may hit other players or spectators. The mention of the term in an 1881 British Golf Museum indicates that the term was in use at least as early as that period. [1] The term means "ahead", and it is believed to come from the military "beware before", which was shouted when a battery fired behind friendly troops.[2][3][4]

Other possible origins include the term being derived from the term "fore-caddy", a caddy waiting down range from the golfer to find where the ball lands. These caddies were often warned about oncoming golf balls by a shout "fore!".[5][6] The Colonel Bogey March is based on the descending minor third which the original Colonel Bogey whistled instead of yelling Fore around 1914.[7]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Why Do Golfers Yell "Fore" for Errant Shots? retrieved June 15, 2007
  2. ^ Scott p. 111
  3. ^ Derivation 4 Fore! and Caddie retrieved June 15, 2007
  4. ^ Why Do Golfers Yell "Fore" for Errant Shots? retrieved June 15, 2007
  5. ^ Derivation 4 Fore! and Caddie retrieved June 15, 2007
  6. ^ Why Do Golfers Yell "Fore" for Errant Shots? retrieved June 15, 2007
  7. ^ The Windsor Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly for Men and Women Vol. 33, no. 192 (December 1910)

[edit] References

  • Scott, James Sibbald David The British Army: Its Origin, Progress, and Equipment, 1868
  • Windsor Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly for Men and Women Vol. 33, no. 192 (December 1910)
 This golf-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.