Did I hit you? Sorry. Hahahaha.
I wanted to tell you a bit about where that shout comes from — the one you’re expected to yell as a golfer when you hit a ball and it takes a… Let’s say… unexpected direction.
Basically, when the ball decides to go flying off into the wild. And of course, it can be dangerous for other groups or spectators — that’s why we shout.
Even the pros do it. And with much more dangerous consequences…
Now, technically, there’s no actual rule in golf that says you must shout when that happens. But it does appear in section 6L — “Committee Procedures.”
That’s where the R&A and USGA talk about the Code of Conduct. It states that a Committee can penalize a player for not meeting safety standards, and it explicitly mentions:
“Shouting ‘fore’ as a warning if there is a risk of a ball hitting someone” as an example of expected behavior under Rule 1.2a.
I’ve had to shout it myself sometimes…But honestly, it didn’t help much.
The speed of sound just can’t keep up with my balls. Hahahaha.
But here’s the thing — we don’t shout “Fore!” We shout “Bola!” Even in Catalan… it’s the same.
Apparently, “fore” dates back to the 19th century. Back then, players would hire assistants to watch where their ball landed. Because balls were expensive.
Very expensive.
These assistants were called forecaddies, and when a ball was heading toward them, the player would shout “Before!” — which eventually got shortened to “Fore!”
In France, they shout “Balle!” In Italy, it’s “Palla!” In Japan, they say “Foa!” (their phonetic version of “Fore”)
In the end, you realize it’s one of those “unwritten” rules we all follow — out of courtesy and survival on the course.
And that’s a good thing.
A bit more respect in the world wouldn’t hurt either.
Have a great weekend, golfer!
P.S.1: Lazar’s Beta phase ends next week. P.S.2: This weekend is The Masters at Augusta! Don’t miss it!