Why do golfers yell "four!" when a ball is heading towards people? why not "look out!" or anything

Question

what is the meaning behind it? just randomly popped into my head watching british open

Answer 1

"look out" takes too long to say

Answer 2

The answer at the top is correct, fore-warned.

Answer 3

its spelled ''fore''..it means ''fore warned.. it does mean look out..

Answer 4

After you have been playing for a while, when you hear someone yell "FORE" in your direction, you immediately turn your back to the shout and duck your head.  It just becomes second nature.

After I hear someone shout FU** or SH**, I immediately turn and look for something to laugh at.

The term comes from the use of forecaddies, who used to walk ahead of players to spot where errant shots went.  If a golfer yells "FORE", it is a signal for the forecaddies to watch where it goes.

Answer 5

Because the other "F" word is reserved for use after hitting a terrible shot!

Answer 6

i think because when you yell that certain word it carries easier than other words. It's kinda hard to explain.

Answer 7

It's from the days of "Old Englishe"  where golf started.  You are right.  We should change it to something that would actually save someone's life.

Answer 8

It could mean the number of seconds you have until it hits you. but i dont think thats right. i believe it means fore warned as stated above. If this tradition was changed the sport of golf would not as enjoyable to those who SUCK!

Answer 9

As observed above - it actually means "fore".

Perhaps we ought to change it to  "-uck" - so as  to both forewarn someome ahead we've mishit a ball - and get a bit of self-annoyance off our chest. (The Open's going well - weather's foul - but such as to sort the men from the boys - don't you think ?)