Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Chief Master Sergeant Roy Bowser Jr. has functioned as an independent claims adjuster with Mobile, Alabama’s Pilot since 2017. When he is not processing a variety of claims in 12 different states, Sergeant Roy Bowser Jr. enjoys golfing.
Golf can be the perfect pastime for individuals looking for a competitive but low intensity experience. As is the case with all sports, however, individuals must observe proper safety precautions in order to minimize the chances of injury, such as calling “fore” when a wayward shot poses a danger to other golfers on the course.
The basics of calling fore are simple. The term essentially translates to “watch out!” and is used to warn nearby golfers of an errant shot coming their way. If possible, golfers should point to the ball in the air and continue pointing it until it lands. Similarly, if the ball is clearly headed in the direction of a specific individual or group, the person making the call should direct the call towards those individuals, repeating the call if necessary. Golfers must remember to make the call clearly and loudly so that anyone in the immediate vicinity knows they might be struck by a ball.
It should be noted that errant hooks and slices into adjacent fairways are not always the cause of a fore call. In some cases, golfers drive the ball further than they anticipated, or tee off without realizing the preceding party is still on the fairway.
In the early days of golf, individuals actually called fore before every drive. It is unclear if the term refers to this practice, as in the foremost shot of the hole, or if it can be traced back to the 18th and 19th century term “forecaddie,” a precursor to the modern day caddie. The forecaddie would travel ahead of the party and stand near where the ball was most likely to land, minimizing the chances of losing a ball.
Modern caddies serve to carry a golfer’s bags and, in some cases, discuss strategy. That said, professional tournaments continue to utilize spotters, who fill the same role as forecaddies.
Golf can be the perfect pastime for individuals looking for a competitive but low intensity experience. As is the case with all sports, however, individuals must observe proper safety precautions in order to minimize the chances of injury, such as calling “fore” when a wayward shot poses a danger to other golfers on the course.
The basics of calling fore are simple. The term essentially translates to “watch out!” and is used to warn nearby golfers of an errant shot coming their way. If possible, golfers should point to the ball in the air and continue pointing it until it lands. Similarly, if the ball is clearly headed in the direction of a specific individual or group, the person making the call should direct the call towards those individuals, repeating the call if necessary. Golfers must remember to make the call clearly and loudly so that anyone in the immediate vicinity knows they might be struck by a ball.
It should be noted that errant hooks and slices into adjacent fairways are not always the cause of a fore call. In some cases, golfers drive the ball further than they anticipated, or tee off without realizing the preceding party is still on the fairway.
In the early days of golf, individuals actually called fore before every drive. It is unclear if the term refers to this practice, as in the foremost shot of the hole, or if it can be traced back to the 18th and 19th century term “forecaddie,” a precursor to the modern day caddie. The forecaddie would travel ahead of the party and stand near where the ball was most likely to land, minimizing the chances of losing a ball.
Modern caddies serve to carry a golfer’s bags and, in some cases, discuss strategy. That said, professional tournaments continue to utilize spotters, who fill the same role as forecaddies.
