Time to start penalising Pro's for not shouting fore..

[JezzE]

Like they do in this sport where people are only 50yds away?

[video=youtube;D2-yA-G5Wjo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2-yA-G5Wjo[/video]

When a spectator in cricket gets hit they always blame the spectator (or they blame themself with "I should have been watching")

When you're playing your monthly medal and there's 4 guys halfway down the fairway or some bloke walking his dog then of course you should shout if you hit a ball in their direction, but when there's 500 people lining the fairway?? Not for me, pointing is enough, there are marshals spotting the ball and people on the tee waving boards in the direction of flight.

Truly baffling response...

 

[JustOne]

Baffling? I didn't think it was that complicated.

 

[Lump]

Baffling? I didn't think it was that complicated.

One person= Shout of fore
Hole lined with people=No shout….. I'd agree baffling.
There should be a shout no matter the situation. Its massive disrespect from the players towards fans of the game. There are no if/ands/buts/maybes about it. If the ball appears to be heading towards people or adjacent fairways a shout of FORE!! needs to go out.

 

[JustOne]

One person= Shout of fore
Hole lined with people=No shout….. I'd agree baffling.
There should be a shout no matter the situation. Its massive disrespect from the players towards fans of the game. There are no if/ands/buts/maybes about it. If the ball appears to be heading towards people or adjacent fairways a shout of FORE!! needs to go out.

Out of interest, did you ever go to the Open (or any tournament where there are more than 10 people standing at the side of the fairway)?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm quite shocked that anyone wouldn't want to see everyone give a shout of fore

All the commentators want to see it - the pundits etc

It takes a second and gives a warning


Just seen Justin Rose shout fore right and people were aware of the ball going towards them and were able to ensure they made themselves a little bit more protected.

Players should take responsibility of their actions when playing golf.

 

[garyinderry]

Out of interest, did you ever go to the Open (or any tournament where there are more than 10 people standing at the side of the fairway)?

Yes I've been at the open and the Irish open. Nearly got at hit the Irish open walking towards the toilets. Had next to no interest in the hole unfurling behind me. A ball came in from my 7 o'clock. Shouts of fore were ringing around my head. I ducked and it landed 2foot in front of me. Without that shout I could have been a proud owner of a scar and a glove.

There is no excuse. Even if a crowd can't psychically get out of the way, a shout gives them time to prepare. There simply is no argument in that fact.

 

[JustOne]

Just seen Justin Rose shout fore right and people were aware of the ball going towards them and were able to ensure they made themselves a little bit more protected.

He hit the hospitality... here's a pic of those who 'protected' themselves at impact with the hospitality area... green dots took evasive action NOT because they heard the call... but because they were watching it. There's at least 30 people in the pic

 

[Deleted member 15344]

And the shout of fore make sure people were aware that a ball was heading towards them regardless of them seeing it or not

The shout will have made the people not looking that a ball was heading in there general direction

A shout of fore costs no energy but could save a person from getting hurt - it's common sense as well as good etiquette

There is no excuse and defence for someone not shouting fore not matter which angle or situation is twisted

 

[garyinderry]

Where is SILH? Surly this is sacrilege to the etiquette code! unbelievable Jeff!

Someone puts your eye out! Who are you going to be more unhappy with? The fore shout or the pointer?

 

[upsidedown]

He hit the hospitality... here's a pic of those who 'protected' themselves at impact with the hospitality area... green dots took evasive action NOT because they heard the call... but because they were watching it. There's at least 30 people in the pic

If they were watching it why are they taking evasive action? Surely they can see it's not going to hit them if they're watching it

 

[JustOne]

If they were watching it why are they taking evasive action? Surely they can see it's not going to hit them if they're watching it

LOL I don't know, they watched it in and covered up. A lot of people aren't even looking in the correct direction, they're either not bothered or they didn't hear the shout. I'm guessing they're just not bothered about being hit by a ball


McIlroy hit a ball into someone's POCKET yesterday, here's a thread about it.... not one person on that thread whinging that he didn't shout fore! Ho-hum.
http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?70646-Get-in-the-Pocket!!

 

[North Mimms]

And I reiterate my point, Pros should shout FORE as an example to club golfers.

I don't want to see not shouting filtering down to a local level like Protracted PSRs

 

[bozza]

Does it do any harm at all for a player/caddie to shout fore on a wayward shot?

No it doesn't!

So why can't they do it?

That shout of fore could warn that one person that wasn't looking and alert them to a ball coming towards them and save them for a very serious injury which is why anyone that hits a wayward shot wether it be the world no1 or a 28 h/c playing a friendly round should have the deceny to shout fore.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I would imagine many of the pros keep quiet as they don't want to be on the receiving end of missing a putt when somebody on the adjacent tee screams fore !

Or if their shout ends up making 2000 people shout down a fairway!

I really doubt things will change regarding Pros shouting, an arm signal from SOMEONE on the tee to marshas down the fairway is sufficient as light travels faster than sound AND they have plenty of spectator marshals (as far as I can see). These can then take appropriate action with minimal disruption.

Shouting is not the answer here and would lead to fair more confusion and disruption than anything else.

Back on the course at home the argument flips, sound is by FAR (ie no contest) the best as it travels radially (ignoring the third dimension), ie you have to have line of sight for a hand signal to work so is useless if something blocks that line.

In summary, pro's should wave a direction to marshals (provision should be made if not already), home club players should shout.

 

[need_my_wedge]

There is no argument not to shout FORE (left/right optional) in as loud a voice as you can muster if your ball is heading towards others down your fairway, or heading off line towards trees lining another fairway.

This is just good practice, good etiquette and should be a matter of principal, whether you can or can't see anyone in the direction the ball is flying, and whether you are professional or amateur golfer.

No excuses, no argument, just bloody do it.

 

[pokerjoke]

Or if their shout ends up making 2000 people shout down a fairway!

I really doubt things will change regarding Pros shouting, an arm signal from SOMEONE on the tee to marshas down the fairway is sufficient as light travels faster than sound AND they have plenty of spectator marshals (as far as I can see). These can then take appropriate action with minimal disruption.

Shouting is not the answer here and would lead to fair more confusion and disruption than anything else.

Back on the course at home the argument flips, sound is by FAR (ie no contest) the best as it travels radially (ignoring the third dimension), ie you have to have line of sight for a hand signal to work so is useless if something blocks that line.

In summary, pro's should wave a direction to marshals (provision should be made if not already), home club players should shout.

That's rubbish mate.
If a marshall waves his flagfrom 300 yards away,whos to say everyone can see it,in
fact because the balls way off line there unlikely to be able to see it.
A good shout of fore with an arm signal will alert others who will pass the message on
a lot quieter than the initial shout and evasive action can be taken.
Also pros are hitting it 340 yards over trees into blind areas.
I suppose there is an argument that spectators should look into where they stand and
not put themselves in harms way but then you would have everyone running to where the ball
lands.
To me the onus goes to the pros to shout,and spectators to be sensible also.
Of course this doesn't come into effect around the greens but generally from there
you can see the player.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Extract from the etiquette section of the rules......

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such situations is “fore”.

If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee considers taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions.This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interests of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.

The above isn't opinion, and I've already stated that much of the time in a tournament scenario there wouldn't be a whole lot of benefit but that's not really the point...... it's the rules of our game. All that is required is that the "powers that be" enforce them.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Extract from the etiquette section of the rules......

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such situations is “fore”.

If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is recommended that the Committee considers taking appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player. Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a limited time on the course or in a certain number of competitions.This is considered to be justifiable in terms of protecting the interests of the majority of golfers who wish to play in accordance with these guidelines.

The above isn't opinion, and I've already stated that much of the time in a tournament scenario there wouldn't be a whole lot of benefit but that's not really the point...... it's the rules of our game. All that is required is that the "powers that be" enforce them.

Excellent point sir. However whether the USPGA or the R&A would ever consider this line of action is highly dubious. I would clearly support sanctions at my own club if there was clear evidence of a player firing errant shots and never shouting. We all have a living to make and many would struggle if they were incapacitated by being hit

 

[bozza]

Like I said earlier, does it do any harm a player/caddie shouting fore?

No it doesn't, does it do any harm a player/caddie not shouting fore?

Yes it can! So no reason at all not to shout fore.