Golf Tutorials

What Do You Yell in Golf?

By Spencer Lanoue
July 24, 2025

Yelling Fore! is golf’s most instinctive sound, but what about all the other phrases you hear shouted across the fairways? From hopeful pleas for a ball to stop to the chatter within your foursome, the course has its own unique vocabulary. This guide will walk you through exactly what to yell in golf, covering everything from critical safety warnings to casual on-course chatter, ensuring you always know the right thing to say.

The Lifesaver: When and How to Yell "Fore!"

Let's start with the most important yell in all of golf. It’s not about style or tradition, it’s purely about safety. Understanding when and how to yell "Fore!" is a non-negotiable responsibility for every single person who steps on a golf course.

What Does "Fore" Actually Mean?

At its core, "Fore!" is a universal warning. It signals to anyone within earshot that a golf ball is flying in their direction unexpectedly, and they need to protect themselves immediately. The origin of the word is debated, with some tracing it to military "fore-caddies" who went ahead to spot shots, but its modern meaning is simple: "Heads up, a ball is coming your way!"

The Golden Rule: When to Yell It

The rule is simple: the instant you believe your shot could pose a danger to anyone, you yell "Fore!" It doesn't matter if they are players on another hole, groundskeepers working, or people on a nearby path. If there's even a slight chance your ball could land near someone who isn't expecting it, you shout it.

Don't wait to see where it lands. The moment the ball leaves your clubface and you know it's off-line and heading towards people, open your mouth. A few seconds of hesitation can be the difference between a person hearing the warning and having time to react, or getting hit.

It’s also a group responsibility. If your friend hits an errant shot and freezes up in embarrassment, don't wait for them. Yell for them. Protecting fellow golfers is far more important than protecting a playing partner's pride.

How to Yell It Effectively

  • Be LOUD: This is not the time to be shy. A mumbled "fore" that no one can hear is useless. Project your voice so it carries. Imagine you’re trying to get someone’s attention from across a parking lot.
  • Add Direction: If you can, add the direction of the errant shot to give people a better idea of where the danger is coming from. For example, yell "Fore right!" if your slice is heading toward the adjacent fairway on the right, or "Fore aheead!" if you thinned it over the green towards the next tee box.
  • It's Better to Over-Call It: No one will ever be upset that you yelled "Fore!" on a ball that landed harmlessly short of them. However, they will be (rightfully) upset if you don't yell and the ball lands near them. When in doubt, always yell.

Shot Commentary: Shouts of Hope and Desperation

Once you’ve confirmed your ball poses no danger to anyone else, a whole new world of yelling opens up. These are the shouts directed at the ball itself, a classic golfer's attempt to influence its flight and final resting place through sheer force of will.

The Good-Shot Yells (The Optimist's Arsenal)

  • "Get legs!" or "Get up!": You've made solid contact and the ball is on a great line, but it looks like it might not have enough steam to reach its target. This is your vocal plea for it to find an extra few yards of flight or roll.
  • "Bite!" or "Sit!": The call for when you’ve hit a high, soaring approach shot to the green. It’s coming in fast and you want it to land softly and stop quickly with backspin, rather than bounding over the back of the green.
  • "Get in the hole!": Perhaps the most hopeful phrase in golf. It's usually shouted on a tee shot on a par 3 or an exceptional approach shot that's tracking directly toward the pin. It's almost always followed by a groan of disappointment, but it’s fun to dream.
  • "Release!" or "Run!": The opposite of "bite." This is for a shot, often a chip or pitch, that lands short of where you want it to finish. You’re encouraging the ball to roll out and run towards the hole after it lands.

The Not-So-Good Yells (The Realist's Groans)

  • "Get right!" or "Get left!": A desperate command for a ball that you can see is hooking or slicing badly. It's a completely futile attempt to use verbal body-english to correct a miss-hit in mid-air.
  • "Get down!": This is the shout for a "thin" or "bladed" shot that comes off the clubface like a low-flying missile. You're yelling for it to hit the ground immediately before it screams through the green and finds serious trouble behind it.
  • "Stay!": A plea reserved for when your ball is rolling and its momentum is carrying it directly towards a hazard - a bunker, a water hazard, or out-of-bounds stakes. You're begging gravity and friction to intervene right... now!

Course Lingo and Player Communication

Beyond yelling at your ball, there’s a whole set of phrases used to communicate efficiently and politely with your playing partners. Knowing these will help you fit right in and keep the game moving smoothly.

Chatting with Your Group

  • "You're away." / "You're out.": This is the standard way to indicate that it's another player's turn to hit because their ball is the farthest from the hole. It's more polite than saying, "Hey, hit the ball!"
  • "Nice shot!" / "Great ball!": A simple, effective way to acknowledge a good shot from a member of your group. It’s positive, encourages camaraderie, and is a hallmark of good golf etiquette.
  • "Good leave.": This is a compliment said after someone hits a great lag putt - a long putt that wasn't necessarily intended to go in, but was meant to stop close to the hole. A "good leave" sets them up for a simple tap-in.
  • "Ready golf" / "Hit when ready.": An encouragement to ignore the "farthest out hits first" tradition in the interest of speeding up play. If you're ready and it's safe to play, this gives you the green light to go ahead, even if you’re not "away."
  • "On the green?" / "Are they clear?": A question you ask your partners before hitting an approach shot to a green you can't fully see. You're confirming that the group in front of you has finished putting and moved on to the next tee.
  • Telling Someone Their Ball's Location: Not every landing is seen by the person who hit it. Being a helpful spotter is great form. For example: "You're in the center of the fairway, about 150 out," or "Just trickled off the back edge, you're fine."

What NOT to Yell in Golf

Just as important as knowing what to yell is knowing what to hold back. Good etiquette is built on making the experience enjoyable for everyone around you. Here are a few things you should avoid yelling on the course.

Keep These Thoughts to Yourself

  • Unsolicited Swing Advice: Never, ever yell something like "Keep your head down!" or "You swung too fast!" to someone right after they miss-hit a shot. It's condescending and is the quickest way to annoy your playing partners.
  • Aggressive Criticisms: Avoid commenting on your partner’s mishits, like "Wow, you chunked that one," or "Another slice, huh?" Golf is frustrating enough without a running commentary on your faults from a playing partner.
  • Loud Profanity After Your Own Bad Shot: A frustrated mutter to yourself is one thing, but a loud, angry outburst of swear words makes everyone around you uncomfortable. Strive for composure, even when your game isn't cooperating.

Final Thoughts

On-course communication in golf is a mix of life-saving warnings, personal emotional outlets, and social etiquette. Knowing how and when to yell "Fore!" is a fundamental part of being a responsible golfer, while understanding the other slang and chatter helps you engage with your playing partners and keep the game fun and efficient.

Mastering on-course communication is a great first step, but what about the silent decisions you have to make? For those tough choices - like what club to hit from 160 yards with the wind in your face, or how to play a buried lie in the bunker - there isn't a phrase you can yell for an answer. With Caddie AI, I provide clear, strategic guidance for all those situations. By analyzing the hole, helping with club selection, and even giving advice based on a photo of your ball's lie, I take the guesswork out of course management so you can play with more confidence.

Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. His mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.

Other posts you might like

How to Throw a Golf Tournament Fundraiser

Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.

Read more
card link

What Is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.

Read more
card link

What Is the Compression of a Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball?

The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.

Read more
card link

What Spikes Fit Puma Golf Shoes?

Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.

Read more
card link

How to Use the Golf Genius App

The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.

Read more
card link

How to Not Embarrass Yourself While Golfing

Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i

Read more
card link
Rating

Instant advice to help you golf like a pro

Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.

Get started for free
Image Descrptions