Fore (golf)

"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. [ [http://golf.about.com/cs/historyofgolf/a/hist_fore.htm "Why Do Golfers Yell "Fore" for Errant Shots?"] retrieved June 15 2007] The term means "look ahead", and it is believed to come from the military "beware before", which was shouted when a battery fired behind friendly troops. [Scott p. 111] [ [http://www.scottishgolfhistory.net/fore_caddy_derivation.htm "Derivation 4 Fore! and Caddie"] retrieved June 15 2007] [ [http://golf.about.com/cs/historyofgolf/a/hist_fore.htm "Why Do Golfers Yell "Fore" for Errant Shots?"] retrieved June 15 2007]

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!". [ [http://www.scottishgolfhistory.net/fore_caddy_derivation.htm "Derivation 4 Fore! and Caddie"] retrieved June 15 2007] [ [http://golf.about.com/cs/historyofgolf/a/hist_fore.htm "Why Do Golfers Yell "Fore" for Errant Shots?"] retrieved June 15 2007] The Colonel Bogey March is based on the descending minor third which the original Colonel Bogey whistled instead of yelling Fore around 1914. ["The Windsor Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly for Men and Women" Vol. 33, no. 192 (December 1910)]

It may have also may have a contraction of the Gaelic cry "Faugh a Ballach!" (i.e. "Clear the way!") which is still associated with the sport of road bowling which has features reminiscent of golf.

Notes

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)