Is yelling "FORE" enough?

[Alan Conroy]

I was playing in a tournament on a hilly course and on an elevated tee had the worst experience of my golfing life. One of my fellow competitors topped his drive and it rolled down a steep gradient some 20 yds off the tee. He briskly went after the ball with the intention of fetching it and playing three off the tee. We told him that was OK but he should wait down there and return to the tee after we had taken our drives. My other partner hit first and then it was my turn. I proceeded to hit a big hook into the water hazard on the left. Without hesitation, I fished a ball out of my trouser pocket, teed up and smacked my second drive off the returning golfer's head. I was sure he was dead, but luckily the ball glanced off the side of his head. He was unconscious for about 5 minutes and bears the scar to this day but fortunately lives to tell the tale.

Do any of you have a similar experience?

[Gresh24]

  Alan Conroy said:

Originally Posted by Alan Conroy

Do any of you have a similar experience?

God no.  I can't imagine how this could happen.

And what does this have to do with "is yelling FORE enough"?  Did you see him, hit anyway, and yell FORE???

[Zeph]

I've thought about from time to time. When players walk up to their ball some 20 yards ahead of another player. You don't stand in their aim line of course, but if the guy shanks it or something, you won't be able to react before the ball is too close. Nobody is able to yell fore enough or react quick enough when you are that close. Safety is always important on the course. That accident you had could have been fatal. I can't imagine how I'd live with something like that on my conscience. When the guy is that close, you are the accountable, regardless of what he's doing or why he is there in the first place. I never hit a ball with someone that close off the tee. If people stand a bit ahead of me on the fairway, it's their choice. Chances are slim that I'll shank it so bad that I hit them, but it could happen.

[zipazoid]

Honestly, what else can you do? "FORE" is a quick, one-syllable word of warning.

A few years back I was playing at The Quarry in Canton, Ohio. Sixth hole is a downhill par 3. We got the green & waved a twosome to hit up. I was standing off to the side of the green. One guy hit & a couple of seconds later I heard "HEADS UP" followed by getting hit in the stomach on the fly by his ball. Just missed my rib cage. I dropped like a sack of potatoes. When he got to me he was all apologetic. I just hissed at him,"The word is FORE".

[Gresh24]

  zipazoid said:

Originally Posted by zipazoid

Honestly, what else can you do?

In this situation, a hell of a lot!

1.  Give the guy the ball in your pocket to hit, and tell him to get his ball after everyone tees off

2.  Make him get a new ball and not go after his

3.  IF he insists on getting his ball, everyone else waits 'till he gets back to tee off

Wow, this situation is nuts, and frankly sounds about as stupid and irresponsible as you can get.

[camper6]

When you are on a golf course you are supposed to be aware of what is going on around you.

You are not supposed to wander out on a fairway or anywhere on the course where you might be hit by a ball.

The guy that went to retrieve his ball was more negligent than the guys teeing off.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Regardless of how idiotic it is to hang out in front of a tee box while people are teeing off, in a court of law (at least here in Maryland) you are liable if you hit that person with your golf ball and cause injury.

[Gresh24]

  camper6 said:

Originally Posted by camper6

The guy that went to retrieve his ball was more negligent than the guys teeing off.

See Mr3Wiggle's comment above.  The negligence is all on the person hitting the ball while KNOWING there is someone out in front of them.

[Motley01]

Wow that is a strange situation. I have never seen someone run after their ball after a tee shot. That is just asking for trouble. But I agree, it's the people teeing off's responsibility to make sure nobody is in hitting range. Let alone letting the guy go ahead and "wait" for you to tee of, just hang out in front of us, you'll be ok.

Personally I wouldn't admit doing that on a forum and comparing notes.

On a side note, I always think it's funny when someone yells FORE really load, you look around and see everyone in the vacinity ducking for cover. I crack up every time.

[Alan Conroy]

  Gresh24 said:

Originally Posted by Gresh24

God no.  I can't imagine how this could happen.

And what does this have to do with "is yelling FORE enough"?  Did you see him, hit anyway, and yell FORE???

It was an elevated tee. He insisted that he collect his ball. He was about 20-30 feet below the tee. It was impossible to hit him if he remained there until we were finished. His head popped up above the level of the tee just as I made contact with the ball. He wasn't expecting the 3rd drive. I still played a double bogey. It was his error. Karma!

[Alan Conroy]

  Zeph said:

Originally Posted by Zeph

I've thought about from time to time. When players walk up to their ball some 20 yards ahead of another player. You don't stand in their aim line of course, but if the guy shanks it or something, you won't be able to react before the ball is too close.

Nobody is able to yell fore enough or react quick enough when you are that close.

Safety is always important on the course. That accident you had could have been fatal. I can't imagine how I'd live with something like that on my conscience. When the guy is that close, you are the accountable, regardless of what he's doing or why he is there in the first place.

I never hit a ball with someone that close off the tee. If people stand a bit ahead of me on the fairway, it's their choice. Chances are slim that I'll shank it so bad that I hit them, but it could happen.

I always cringe when the crowds at a tournament form a long human tunnel for the pros when they hit off the fairway. I know they are pros but they're also human. IMO I was no more irresponsible.

[Alan Conroy]

  zipazoid said:

Originally Posted by zipazoid

Honestly, what else can you do? "FORE" is a quick, one-syllable word of warning.

A few years back I was playing at The Quarry in Canton, Ohio. Sixth hole is a downhill par 3. We got the green & waved a twosome to hit up. I was standing off to the side of the green. One guy hit & a couple of seconds later I heard "HEADS UP" followed by getting hit in the stomach on the fly by his ball. Just missed my rib cage. I dropped like a sack of potatoes. When he got to me he was all apologetic. I just hissed at him,"The word is FORE".

Ouch! By call by him and you.

[Gresh24]

  Alan Conroy said:

Originally Posted by Alan Conroy

It was his error.

  Alan Conroy said:

Originally Posted by Alan Conroy

I always cringe when the crowds at a tournament form a long human tunnel for the pros when they hit off the fairway. I know they are pros but they're also human. IMO I was no more irresponsible.

I'm sorry, but, no way, you are dead wrong.

[bcp]

I am glad the guy is ok.  He should not have left the tee box until all in the group had hit.

[Alan Conroy]

  Gresh24 said:

Originally Posted by Gresh24

In this situation, a hell of a lot!

1.  Give the guy the ball in your pocket to hit, and tell him to get his ball after everyone tees off

2.  Make him get a new ball and not go after his

3.  IF he insists on getting his ball, everyone else waits 'till he gets back to tee off

Wow, this situation is nuts, and frankly sounds about as stupid and irresponsible as you can get.

1) Not my problem

2) Not my problem

3) Not my problem

  camper6 said:

Originally Posted by camper6

1) When you are on a golf course you are supposed to be aware of what is going on around you.

2) You are not supposed to wander out on a fairway or anywhere on the course where you might be hit by a ball.

3) The guy that went to retrieve his ball was more negligent than the guys teeing off.

1) Not my problem

2) His problem

3) I agree

  Mr3Wiggle said:

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

Regardless of how idiotic it is to hang out in front of a tee box while people are teeing off, in a court of law (at least here in Maryland) you are liable if you hit that person with your golf ball and cause injury.

He profited twofold from the injury. It improved his looks and slowed down his speech a little. Before the injury he was a double glazing salesman, afterwards he just sat in his room looking out of the window.

  Gresh24 said:

Originally Posted by Gresh24

See Mr3Wiggle's comment above.  The negligence is all on the person hitting the ball while KNOWING there is someone out in front of them.

I say let bygones be bygones. The guy has been left with little memory.

  Motley01 said:

Originally Posted by Motley01

Wow that is a strange situation. I have never seen someone run after their ball after a tee shot. That is just asking for trouble. But I agree, it's the people teeing off's responsibility to make sure nobody is in hitting range. Let alone letting the guy go ahead and "wait" for you to tee of, just hang out in front of us, you'll be ok.

Personally I wouldn't admit doing that on a forum and comparing notes.

Once again, not my problem.

[saevel25]

Its his own fault for going ahead while others still needed to hit, he could have just waited, then he would have known you were going to hit a 2nd drive from the tee box.

I think yelling "Fore" is enough, if its used anymore. Most people don't even bother..

[Gresh24]

Wow, Alan, you are one sick SOB.

[Alan Conroy]

  Gresh24 said:

Originally Posted by Gresh24

I'm sorry, but, no way, you are dead wrong.

So on the same note if a pro shanks one and hits one of the crowd in the tunnel he is also at fault. I say the spectator is at fault. He deserves one between the eyes.

  bcp said:

Originally Posted by bcp

I am glad the guy is ok.  He should not have left the tee box until all in the group had hit.

My point exactly. Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.

OR

Stupid is as stupid does