WHY do GOLFERS say 4?

Answer 1

They're not saying "four!" they're saying "fore!"

No certain origin for the golf word “Fore!” has ever been agreed. The Shorter Oxford 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’. There is an earlier reference in 1857 in a glossary of golfing terms. Its origin appears to be bound up with that of the word Caddie.


Currently there are three serious explanations for the origins of term FORE!



Because golf balls were expensive, golfers employed ‘Forecaddies’ to stand where the ball might land and reduce the number of lost balls, as is done in tournaments today. In 1875, Robert Clark mentions that Andrew Dickson performing this role for the Duke of York in 1681 and describes it as “what is now commonly called a fore-caddie”. It is probable that golfers called to their “Forecaddie!”, who would always be some distance ahead to draw attention to the fact the ball was coming and, in time, this was shortened to “Fore!” The almost contemporaneous appearance of the terms caddie, fore-caddie and fore! supports this theory over the others.

A second explanation derives from the military battle craft of musket days, when rank after rank would fire fusillades, some over the heads of those in front. It was speculated that the term Fore! might have been used to warn those in front to keep their heads down. Modern historians pour cold water on this theory, partly because it is difficult to relate it to a Scottish golf connection and partly because the relevant military terms used do not appear to be connected. However, this theory may in fact be a misunderstanding of the theory below.

There is a third explanation, which appears utterly implausible, but which is an outside possibility. It derives from a story told by John Knox (1505?-1572) the ‘hellfire’ protestant reformer. He tells the tale, as only ‘hellfire’ preachers can, of someone arriving at the East Port (east gate) of Leith. This story was noticed by Dr Neilson and subsequently reported by Robert Browning in his book 'History of Golf’ (1955) thus:


‘One among many comes to the East Port of Leith, where lay two great pieces of ordnance, and where their enemies were known to be, and cried to his fellows that were at the gate making defence: "Ware Before!" and so fires one great piece, and thereafter the other.'




So “Fore!” could be derived from an artillery term warning gunners to stand clear. This last explanation means, firstly, that the term “Ware Before!” (“Beware Before!”) was foreshortened to “Fore!” (rather than “Ware!”) and, secondly, it must have been sufficiently well known to be used by golfers.

Answer 2

Just me speculating, I would have to say it is short for "be fore warned". That would be the only thing that would make sense to me. And you shout "fore" when you hit the ball further than you intended, and it's going to land close or on either a group in front of you or a person walking by the course.

Answer 3

stupid golfer language.
means get out the way there a ball coming your direction..

pretty stupid a, considering if u dont no what it means how u no what to watch out 4!

Answer 4

They don't say four they say fore and then an indication of direction like fore left or fore right. Its to indicate that a ball is traveling towards other players or spectators. DO NOT LOOK UP! when you hear this on a golf course - duck!

Answer 5

As warning Fore is a short version of before as in before you

Answer 6

that is the heads up warning that a golf ball has gone off track and may hit someone

Answer 7

It's spelled "fore". It means heads up when you hit a ball close to someone.

Answer 8

It's FORE...not 4.

Answer 9

its like saying "heads up," it just means there is a flying ball about

Answer 10

Because we can't count to five.