Nearly met my maker today.

[Bones01gt]

Lengthy, but worth the read.

I walked to the 17th tee just wanting to get the round over with as I was all over the course for most of the round. As my buddy and I arrived a golfer on another tee adjacent to 17 fairway to our left splashed one in the water 20 yards to the front left of our tee box. No "fore" or warning of any sort. It's a good 250 yard carry for them to reach the water. No big deal.

I walk to the right side of the tee box to set up for a little faded hybrid. I bent over to tee my ball and for some reason a low hanging branch in my peripheral vision caught my eye and I figured I'd move toward the center of the tee box to avoid it for sure. As I stood back up something caught my attention and I lurched backwards to get upright and out of the way very quickly. When I did I heard "voooosh!" A golf ball zipped right in front of my face and smacked my golf bag and dropped right beside my push cart. It sounded like a major league fastball when it hit my Bridgestone staff bag.

I was in shock. The ball was within a foot of drilling me right in the side of the head. I don't know what kind of ball speed a ball needs to carry 250-270 yards, but I figure if it hit me in the head I would be lucky if I weren't killed or hurt very badly. My initial thought was "what the f*ck!!??" I think I yelled it. No "fore" no warning whatsoever. After the first one landed at the edge of my comfort zone I should have been more aware the next player's shot. I simply figured it would be dumb luck if another ball landed that close. I guess I'm dumb for thinking that.

When the foursome approached I saw that they had a younger girl with them, maybe 12 or 13 years old so I really tried to maintain my composure. I told them that they should warn with a "fore" when they hit at someone. They said they yelled but I didn't hear a thing other than the contact then the ball buzzed my tower. I simply told them in a not so nice tone that they need to sound off in a man voice before they kill someone. I said there is no reason to be embarassed of a wayward shot and a "fore!!!" would be appreciated the next time.

I am still shook up. It was like getting shot at. I don't think anyone involved understands the severity of the situation the way I do. Not even my buddy. They didn't see the ball so they don't understand how close it was to taking my head off. I got very lucky. If I had stayed bent over to tee that ball in the original spot I probably would not have stood to hit the shot. It would have rolled me. I guess it was dumb luck on my part that that tree limb caught my eye. It probably wouldn't have affected my shot, but it in hindsight it may have saved my life. I am a combat vet and I've been in the mix. That is as scared as I have been since my time as an infantryman in Iraq.

My point is if someone hits a wayward shot they should sound off at the top of their lungs. THey shouldn't be embarassed and shouldn't hesitate. They shouldn't wait till it's too late. They should sound off early and loud so everyone in range and even beyond range can hear the warning. Like I said, I don't know how fast that ball was moving. Probably well over 100mph, but I am darn sure that it was getting along with enough velocity to kill a man.

[BParis]

Jennings, sorry to hear about this close call, many people don't understand how lethal a golf ball can be. It might not kill you, but it certainly can take an eye out or break your cheek or jaw bones. I hope your words to the other golfers sink in.

 

Oh yeah, and thanks for your service to our Country, it is much appreciated.

 

Cheers!

[scottycameron_freak19]

thats crazy. Its really sad when a player cant even yell a simple word like fore. its not rocket science lol

[w8liftr]

Glad you were not hit. I have had two close encounters without warning. One shot hit the top of our cart and one hit my bag, both from another fairway.

[Tupperwolf]

In these days of 270-300 yard drives it's very important to sound off when you yell FORE.... I give it a good bellow whenever necessary... Not that I drive that long all the time, but the distances balls go these days, it's important to be sure you are heard...

 

My friend was hit in the eye socket with an errant 3-wood shot from an adjacent fairway... It crushed his eye socket and he had to have reconstructive surgery. He regained full vision in his eye after about 3 weeks but it was sketchy for a while whether he would ever see properly out of that eye again. The guy never yelled fore.

[mizunogrrl]

Very good post. On average, people have no respect for one another, as from what I have witnessed. This has leaked into golf. And, your experience really has become the norm now a days. It's despicable. I am happy to hear you are alright. I hope your story helps people better understand the situation.

[Grum]

Pretty common, errant shots happen, but not yelling fore is pretty poor. I make sure to give a good hearty scream if I think theres any danger. I've been on the recieving end of a ball before, and seen the damage it can do, it hurts!

[TamaleFestival]

I hear you. People not yelling fore makes me plenty angry.

 

I had a similar incident happen to me years ago. Me and my buddy were finishing on 18, a par 3 which parallels the par 4 1st hole. I'm standing on the 18th tee watching my buddy get ready to hit and some dude on the 1st tee hits a slinging hook that hit me right in the jaw. The ball ricoched off my jaw and hit my collarbone, cutting the skin on my collarbone. The 1st tee was about 190 yards from where I was standing. It hurt like a mofo for a minute, but I was fine. Of course the guy didn't yell fore and didn't offer an apology when he came over and found out what happened. :angry22: Things got pretty heated and we decided to leave (after we putted out on 18, of course) as we were greatly outnumbered.

 

 

 

 

Edit: my horrible spelling

[jshiver15]

I made a comment in another thread that one of my biggest fears is getting hit by a golf ball on the course (someone told me I should "man up," still not sure if they were kidding or not). When I was 9 years old I saw someone get drilled by a golf ball hit by a fairway wood around 150 out. The guy ended up losing his right eye and most of his vision in his left. I don't know why, but whenever I hear someone yell fore or I see a ball flying near me, that thought always comes to mind.

[particleman]

It always blows my mind how reluctant people are to yell four. Most of the time I'm the one that yells it for my playing partners -- I feel like I have to watch everyone hit because no one bloody yells. People always comment about how I yell so loudly and I have to shake my head at the idiocy of it.

[Bones01gt]

I just think people are embarrassed. They already hit a bad shot so they don't want to attract any more negative attention to themselves by yelling "fore" to warn others that they've hit a wayward shot. I wonder if he would have been embarrassed if he drove up and my temple or my eye socket was caved in.

 

I'm quite glad they had a child with them because that is probably the only thing that kept me from blowing a gasket. I was pumped so full of adrenaline. I really wanted to put my hands on the guy. I think they could sense it as none of them came within 30 yards or so. I could feel it. The fight or flight type of adrenaline pump. I was so scared and so angry. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. I was ready to move, my hands felt so light. That young girl would have had to go home and tell mom that she saw the tasmanian devil today. But I held it together, for that I am proud of myself.

[mshills]

This reminds me of something that happened a couple of weeks back. I went out as a single and the pro shop paired me w/ two other players. They weren't the friendliest two in the world, but no big deal, I decided to just play golf and let them do their thing, all good.

 

Few holes in, one player hits a screaming low push slice that was making eyes for a player a couple of holes ahead on a green about 100 yards in front of and 100 yards right of the tee box. It was like slow motion, I saw that ball just making a bee line for the guy on the green and I bellowed "FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!!!!!!!!!!!!" The two guys on that green hit the deck like Marines, just belly flopped flat on their stomachs.

 

It turns out the drive kept bending right so it screamed over the fringe area and was probably 10 or 20 feet away from beaning one of the players. I looked at the two guys I was paired with and was going to say "whew!" and then maybe some nervous laughter. Before I could say anything one of the guys lays into me: "WTF are you doing? Yelling FORE when I'm hitting? Trying to embarrass me or something?"

 

I was speechless, didn't know what to say. I took a moment to gather myself and decided not to say anything. No reason to argue with that guy, and I damn sure was not going to play eleven or twelve more holes with these knuckleheads. I grinned a bit, shook my head, put my driver head cover on, and walked into the clubhouse.

 

Life is too short to play with guys like that. No thanks. I expect to enjoy myself when I play golf, and that was just nuts. I went to the pro shop and explained the situation, asked him if he could pair me up again w/ another group, which he was happy to do.

 

All's well that ends well, I ended up playing 24 holes for the price of 18. :D

 

As long as those two jackasses didn't kill anyone on the back nine, it was a good day for everyone.

[rymail00]

In these days of 270-300 yard drives it's very important to sound off when you yell FORE.... I give it a good bellow whenever necessary... Not that I drive that long all the time, but the distances balls go these days, it's important to be sure you are heard...

 

My friend was hit in the eye socket with an errant 3-wood shot from an adjacent fairway... It crushed his eye socket and he had to have reconstructive surgery. He regained full vision in his eye after about 3 weeks but it was sketchy for a while whether he would ever see properly out of that eye again. The guy never yelled fore.

 

This so horrifying, its honestly scary.

 

I just think people are embarrassed. They already hit a bad shot so they don't want to attract any more negative attention to themselves by yelling "fore" to warn others that they've hit a wayward shot. I wonder if he would have been embarrassed if he drove up and my temple or my eye socket was caved in.

 

I'm quite glad they had a child with them because that is probably the only thing that kept me from blowing a gasket. I was pumped so full of adrenaline. I really wanted to put my hands on the guy. I think they could sense it as none of them came within 30 yards or so. I could feel it. The fight or flight type of adrenaline pump. I was so scared and so angry. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. I was ready to move, my hands felt so light. That young girl would have had to go home and tell mom that she saw the tasmanian devil today. But I held it together, for that I am proud of myself.

 

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was on th 9th hole today when this almost happened to me! I parked our cart just before a greenside bunker about 15 yards short of the green. There had to have been literally 30 miles of wind today, and on the 9th hole its was straight into our face. So a ball can get blown just about anywhere, I wouldnt even trust Tiger hitting into me on a day like today.

 

Anyways, the 4 of us are getting of the green putting our clubs back in our bag when all of a sudden I hear "fore". I am like "What the f&^%," we are barely of the green and this Word not allowedhole rips some type of fairway wood. I cover my head, and after about 3 seconds I didnt hear anything, then all of a sudden the ball shoots down about 7 feet from me.

 

Then... I flipped! I screamed "What the F*&% are you doing! We are 5 yards off the F#$%ing green you F&**ing Word not allowedhole!" Also some other words too but I cant remember what they were. I am shaking I'm so mad now. I take my wedge and swing one handed and hit his ball about 20 yards the wrong way (at this point I have went to far, I know). But when there is like 5 groups on the whole front side there is no reason to hit into anyone especially when this is the first time we have seen them is on this hole.

 

This has happened to me 3 times now in the last 5-6 weeks. Unfortunately I have reacted the same way. But I have seen what a golf ball can do, it can do some damage. I hate getting so mad, but I dont want what happened to the guys QWKDTSN friend in post happening to me or my friends.hit someone before like 7 years ago when I was like 20 years old. I felt horrible when it happened.

 

Did anyone see a few weeks ago when Reteef Goosen hit that guy in the face? HORRIFYING!!

 

Glad you are OK.

 

Rant over

Ryan

[ClarkGrswld4]

glad to hear you are okay though

 

I'm not making excuses by any means, but It seems like nobody yells "fore" these days...I blame it partly on the PGA Tour...you always just see them launch one into the gallery and just hold out there arm in the direction it is going for the spotter to see where it lands. They don't give a damn if it is heading towards a pack of people. I'm sure people adapt this principle when they play their local course. Regardless, it is horrible etiquette and DANGEROUS...Again, glad you are okay

[TamaleFestival]

glad to hear you are okay though

 

I'm not making excuses by any means, but It seems like nobody yells "fore" these days...I blame it partly on the PGA Tour...you always just see them launch one into the gallery and just hold out there arm in the direction it is going for the spotter to see where it lands. They don't give a damn if it is heading towards a pack of people. I'm sure people adapt this principle when they play their local course. Regardless, it is horrible etiquette and DANGEROUS...Again, glad you are okay

 

That's a good point. My wife and I went to the Valero Texas Open couple weeks ago and Mark Wilson almost hit us with a tee shot on the 8th hole. Nobody yelled fore and the doofus marshal at the tee actually motioned that the drive was going down the fairway. :wacko:

[DavePelz4]

I've been hit a few times in the last couple of years including a shot in the neck...Trip to the emergency room for that one...after finishing the round of course.

 

Here's one from today and with God as my witness, it happened just like this.

 

We're on a par 5 putting and the group behind us is standing at the 150 marker. Just as I finish a stroke I hear a "whomp." One of the guys in the group behind us hit it while the 4 of us were in complete view right in front of them. The ball landed just behind my arse. No fore...nothing until the ball was behind me and then a very weak...fore.

 

I waited for them and when they got to the green the guy says...geez I'm sorry I've never hit it that far before. Somehow I think he was serious.

[Bones01gt]

I'm still a bit jittery and this crap happened at like 12:30 this afternoon. I know I take a chance every time I step on a golf course, but for that clown not to YELL "FORE!!!" just makes my blood boil. If I'd have had my 7-year old boy with me I'd have given him a lesson on a**kicking. That's the bottom line.

[Carl Spackler2]

Wow! Something similar happened to me a year or so ago. Was sitting on a bench by the tee box waiting for the green to clear. The driving range runs perpendicular to my tee box. I was just randomly sitting there, singing a tune, and whooooooooosh! A ball dropped right between my legs. Laughed so hard, because I just avoided something worse than death haha.

[Bucken77]

Had a ball land no more than 2 feet away from me yesterday while I was standing on a tee box. Guy never yelled Fore. I'm the guy in the foursome who screams it if it is even halfway close. You never know if a ball is going to take a weird bounce or something. Better to be safe than sorry. Can never understand why someone would be too embarrassed to yell fore. Anyway the guy comes to get his ball and he says he is sorry and he never hits the ball that far right. I kid you not he takes his next shot and slices the ball another two fairways over and just walks away. I had to laugh at the guy while he was walking away.

[rymail00]

This seems to be happening way to much. Like alot of you guys said, people are probably to embarrassed to yell "fore". But yelling "fore" is less embarrassing then being the guy on the news who killed someone w/ a horrible shot. :black eye:

[Bones01gt]

I hear people talk about a ball landing a few feet away or whatever, but this ball was on the fly off a driver and I was 250+ away and it buzzed my tower within a matter of inches. What would that ball speed be? 150mph? I heard it before I saw it. My wife thinks I'm exagerating and some of you may too, but a ball that carries approximately 270 on the fly (give or take) is carrying some serious velocity. He was a righty so it was a overcooked hook. I really am lucky. I know for a fact that if that ball hit me in the head I would not have walked off that tee box. It wasn't like it came bouncing in or anything. It was a friggin' rocket!!! I'm still not over it. The bloomin' idiot could have killed me or blinded me or deformed my pretty face. Hell, it could have hit me right in the back or neck and shattered a vertebrae. For goodness sake SOUND OFF LIKE YOU'VE GOT A PAIR!!!

 

I just can't quit thinking about it. I should have watched him tee off, that's my fault.

 

I appreciate all of you guys sympathizing with me. It really shook me up and I'm not easily shaken. It was just so stinkin' close.

[mkirt]

Had this happen to me about a month ago. Buddy and I decide to walk 9 on a Monday late afternoon after work. We had just finished the 8th hole (par 3) and were walking down the cartpath toward number nine. The cartpath runs back parallel with the 8th hole for about 40 yds then cuts left to go around the lake.

 

As we are walking and talking, in mid stride, a ball goes wizzing of the cartpath through my legs, just brushing the crotch of my shorts. At first I couldnt believe it happend. We looked over at the 8th tee and the guy had apparantly hit a dead shank. He refused to even look at us and was clearly embarassed. At the time all I could do was laugh as it was clearly not intentional.

 

After the round, it sunk in how close I had come to being seriously injured.

[blade_man]

Pretty common, errant shots happen, but not yelling fore is pretty poor. I make sure to give a good hearty scream if I think theres any danger. I've been on the recieving end of a ball before, and seen the damage it can do, it hurts!

 

Me too! I got hit on the left leg right beside the shin bone, I swear I could see "top flite" etched into my leg! Glad you are ok and thanks for you for serving this great Country. Much appreciated.

[Shootin' Better]

I just think people are embarrassed. They already hit a bad shot so they don't want to attract any more negative attention to themselves by yelling "fore" to warn others that they've hit a wayward shot. I wonder if he would have been embarrassed if he drove up and my temple or my eye socket was caved in.

 

I'm quite glad they had a child with them because that is probably the only thing that kept me from blowing a gasket. I was pumped so full of adrenaline. I really wanted to put my hands on the guy. I think they could sense it as none of them came within 30 yards or so. I could feel it. The fight or flight type of adrenaline pump. I was so scared and so angry. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. I was ready to move, my hands felt so light. That young girl would have had to go home and tell mom that she saw the tasmanian devil today. But I held it together, for that I am proud of myself.

 

That's keeping the game of golf to a high standard. I don't believe anyone should act out their fantasies on the golf course.

[sooner66]

I can second the yelling like you have a pair sentiment. I was hit in the head by a drive of about 250 yards last Wednesday evening. The guys yelled a little but it was too little too late. Scary stuff, but luckily I am okay.

[highergr0und]

I think I may be an over fore yeller, but it makes me feel ok... Not that I'm too loud, but if I'm playing a course that has holes running side by side I yell it if my ball is heading into the thin woods that separates the holes. I hate the excuse that they don't see you there, so I'll yell if there's a possiblity someone is there.

 

But even aside from teaching people to yell fore, I think a lot of folks need to be taught what to do when it's called out. Seems a lot of people nowadays turn around to look for the ball flying at them. Not the safest move around.

[Shootin' Better]

I think I may be an over fore yeller, but it makes me feel ok... Not that I'm too loud, but if I'm playing a course that has holes running side by side I yell it if my ball is heading into the thin woods that separates the holes. I hate the excuse that they don't see you there, so I'll yell if there's a possiblity someone is there.

 

But even aside from teaching people to yell fore, I think a lot of folks need to be taught what to do when it's called out. Seems a lot of people nowadays turn around to look for the ball flying at them. Not the safest move around.

 

I think some of the non use of fore may be relevant to the idea of messing some one's swing or putt up. I have and still do yell fore, but I do wonder if I broke someone's focus. I play a small 9 hole par 36 course mostly and you can see most people at most times. The word Fore is NOT the F bomb and should be used when appropriate.

[Shanks For The Memories]

Like I said, I don't know how fast that ball was moving. Probably well over 100mph, but I am darn sure that it was getting along with enough velocity to kill a man.

 

 

No, not nearly 100 mph. If the ball carried that far, and it were going 100 mph, it would have had to have an inital ballspeed of around 250 mph. The slowdown is logarithmic too, so it slows the most in the beginning. The ball was likely traveling about 55 mph or less by the time it got to you.

 

It might have killed you if it hit you dead on in the temple, but I've never heard of anyone being killed by a golf ball. When I looked it up, the closest I could find is a little girl being hit in the head by a ball, then dying at the hospital, but the report said she died from the doctors giving her too much endone and codeine.

 

Golf balls are rubber, and they weigh only 1.6 oz. Traveling at 100 mph, they have 33 ft/lbs of energy. A .22 cal bullet has over 140 ft/lbs of energy.

[Logan Joseph]

Holy cow.

 

I'm glad your not hurt.

[Shanks For The Memories]

Well, I don't know, but I looked and most of you guys live in non-golf oriented places. I was born in Ft. Lauderdale, and my whole life have been surrounded by golf, and where I am from, everyone yells fore. The whole "fore"some will yell it here. I am amazed at some of the stories I hear about golfers from other parts of the country.

 

The best "fore" story I know is not the action, but the yell. This German guy shanks one from the range into the fairway of #1, and he yells "Fore", but with his accent, it comes out as this "foo-ah!" I tried so hard not to laugh. I've heard a few Germans yell "foo-ah", but never that close and with that voice!