What Do Golfers Shout?

You’ve heard them echo from the next fairway or shouted triumphantly on television - the loud, sudden, and sometimes comical cries of golfers. Those shouts are a language all their own, a mix of safety commands, hopeful pleas, and raw frustration. This guide will walk you through the common shouts you'll hear on the course, explaining exactly what they mean and the right times to use them yourself. We'll cover everything from the crucial call of Fore! to the expressions of pure joy and utter disappointment that make up the soundtrack of a round of golf.

The Undisputed King of Golf Shouts: "Fore!"

If you only learn one shout in golf, this is it. "Fore!" is the universal and internationally recognized warning signal that a golf ball is flying off-course and heading dangerously toward unsuspecting people. It’s not just a suggestion, it’s a vital part of golf safety and etiquette.

When to Yell "Fore!"

As a golf coach, this is the one rule I am relentless about with my players: you are responsible for your golf ball. Hitting a bad shot is part of the game, and even the best players in the world miss their targets. However, failing to warn others is a serious breach of etiquette and can have dangerous consequences. Here’s when you need to activate your lungs:

• Immediately: The moment you realize your ball has a chance of reaching another person, yell. Don't wait to see if it hooks back into play or if it will come up short. Hesitation can be the difference between a close call and an injury.
• Loud and Clear: The goal is to get someone's attention who isn't looking at you. A half-hearted "fore" that no one can hear is useless. Yell it from your diaphragm. If you can, add direction, like "Fore Right!" if your ball is slicing toward a fairway to your right, or "Fore Left!" if it's hooking.
• No Matter Who You Are: It doesn't matter if you're a 30-handicap or a scratch golfer. Everyone hits errant shots. Yelling "Fore!" isn't an admission of being a bad golfer, it's a sign of being a responsible and respectful one.

What to Do When You Hear "Fore!"

If you're the one on the receiving end a "Fore!" call, your first instinct might be to look for the ball. Fight that urge. It’s nearly impossible to spot a small white ball flying through the air at over 100 mph.

Instead, follow this simple procedure, often called "duck and cover":

1. Don't look up. Turn your back in the direction of the shout.
2. Bring your arms up and cover your head and neck. Protect your head first.
3. Crouch down or get behind something sturdy, like a tree or your golf cart.

It might feel a little silly, but a small bruise on your arm is infinitely better than a concussion.

The Good Shouts: Expressions of Triumph and Hope

Now for the fun part. Not all golf shouts are warnings. Many are spontaneous bursts of pure optimism, encouraging a well-struck shot to be just a little bit better.

"Get in the hole!"

Famous for being yelled maniacally at PGA Tour events the second a tee shot is airborne, this is the ultimate manifestation of hope. It’s a joyful request for the ball to do the impossible and find the cup from long range. Amateurs use it too, typically on a great approach shot, a chip, or a long putt that is tracking perfectly toward the pin. It rarely works, but it's always fun to shout.

"Get up!" or "Get legs!"

You’ve hit a shot that feels good and is on the right line, but you’re worried it might not have enough power to get to its destination. This is your vocal command for the ball to defy physics and keep rolling. It's a shout filled with tension and hope, commonly used for drives you need to carry a hazard or for approach shots that need to get all the way to a back pin.

"Bite!" or "Sit down!"

This is the exact opposite of "Get up!" You’ve hit your shot - usually a wedge or short iron - and it’s a towering missile headed right for the flag. The only problem is, you think you might have hit it too far. Shouting "Bite!" or "Sit!" is a plea for the backspin on the ball to grab the green and stop quickly, or even spin backward. When a playing partner flushes a wedge shot, you can make them feel like a Tour pro by yelling "BITE!" as it descends.

"Be right!"

This is one of the most relatable expressions in golf. It’s that perfect moment of suspense after you’ve struck the ball purely. You know the direction is perfect and the ball flight is pure. The only unknown is the distance. "Be right!" is a quiet prayer sent to the golf gods, hoping your club selection was correct. It’s not about direction (left or right), it’s about it being the right club for the shot.

The Not-So-Good Shouts: Expressions of Annoyance and Defeat

Let's be honest: golf can be an incredibly frustrating game. As a coach, I tell my students that reacting emotionally to a bad shot is normal. The key is to have a short memory and not let it spoil the next one. Here are some of the sounds of a shot gone wrong.

Yells Aimed at a Crooked Ball

When a right-handed golfer hits a slice (a ball curving hard to the right), you'll often hear a desperate litany of commands aimed at the disobedient ball:

• "Stay!"
• "Don't go there!"
• "GET DOWN!"

The reverse happens for a hook (a ball curving hard to the left). Often, a golfer will hopefully mutter "fade..." at impact, only for it to escalate into a mournful "FAAAAAAADEEE!" as the ball defies their command and hooks deep into the trees.

Shouts for Bad Contact

Beyond direction, the way the club meets the ball creates a whole other category of noises.

• Fat/Chunk: This is when the club hits the ground significantly behind the ball, taking a huge divot and sending the ball a fraction of its intended distance. This is often accompanied by an audible grunt, an angry expletive, or the classic descriptor, "I laid the sod over it."
• Thin/Blade: This is the opposite mistake, where the club's leading edge hits the equator of the ball instead of the back. This results in a low, scorching shot that screams across the green without an ounce of spin. You'll hear "Clipped it!" or a sarcastic "Thin to win!" from the golfer.

Slang you might Overhear

Not every cry is an emotional outburst. Some are just part of the everyday language of the game.

• "Shank!": The most feared word in golf. A shank, or "hosel rocket," is when the ball is struck not on the face of the club, but on the hosel (the part where the shaft connects to the head). This sends the ball shooting out at a near 90-degree angle to the right (for a righty). It's a shout of pure shock and horror.
• "Provisional!": An official term from the Rules of Golf. If you believe your ball might be lost or out of bounds, you can announce you are playing a "provisional ball" and hit another one from the same spot.
• "That'll play.": A common compliment from a playing partner after a less-than-perfect shot. If your drive ends up in the rough but you still have a clear shot to the green, you might hear "That'll play," meaning, "It's not great, but you can definitely manage from there." It’s a supportive part of on-course camaraderie.

Final Thoughts

From the essential warning of "Fore!" to the bitter cry after a shanked wedge, the shouts you hear on a golf course tell the story of the game itself. Understanding this shared language makes the game safer and more fun, connecting you to the universal highs and lows that every single golfer experiences.

While knowing what to shout after a bad shot is part of being a golfer, developing the on-course strategy to avoid those frustrating shots is the real goal. Having a clear plan and understanding how to navigate tricky situations helps build confidence and quiet negative thoughts. To help with this, tools like Caddie AI can serve as your 'on-call' course expert, instantly analyzing any lie and providing smart strategies that can turn potential triple-bogeys into simple pars.