People watching The Masters have no doubt noticed the first-tee announcer saying “fore please.” What is the reason behind the golf saying?
The Masters are the ultimate golf spectacle, with the best of the best competing at a historic venue, Augusta National Golf Club. Augusta National does things somewhat differently than other clubs, though. One of the things that makes it special and unique is the introduction for each golfer at the first tee.
“Fore please, [name] now driving,” the first-tee announcer says before each competitor begins.
At regular PGA Tour events and certainly when it comes to other major championships, we hear things like "Now driving, [list of accolades], [Name]" or some other iteration or combination of those words. At The Masters, it's completely different. "Fore please" is unique to this tournament alone, as so many things are. But where did this bit of history and uniqueness come from?
Why do they say fore please at The Masters?
The “fore please” phrasing and simple introduction is a tradition dating back to 1948. That’s when Phil Harison, an August National member, became to first-tee starter. He was the one who coined the phrase.
In golf, “fore” is used to draw attention to a player who is about to hit. So, Harison used “fore please” to get the attention of anyone in the vicinity. He then announced the name of the competitor with no frills or accolades accompanying it.
When Harison passed away in 2008, Toby Wilt took over as the first-tee announcer. He decided to carry on the tradition Harison started.
That’s why he says, “Fore please, Tiger Woods now driving,” and leaves it at that instead of listing off accomplishments or accolades.
Now, instead of being a throw-away phrase, the introduction is a recognizable feature of The Masters. It sets the tone for a great day of competition for each golfer. This iconic introduction really sets the tone for perhaps the sternest test in the sport. Augusta National doesn't care who you are, where you come from, or what you've done before — it only cares how well you golf over the course of the next 72 holes at the Masters Tournament.
And "fore please" makes that clear right from the first tee shot.