Much has been written about the European Tour's innovative ideas to grow the game, including discussions of night-time tournaments and six-hole events. But the tour also has an eye -- and an ear -- on continuing the game's traditions as well.
Take this notice the European Tour posted at this week's Turkish Airlines Open that reminds players they are to yell "Fore!" on errant tee shots:
Yelling "Fore!" -- described in the memo as "the traditional and expected warning/etiquette when there is a danger of hitting someone" -- is something even most beginning golfers know to do, but how often do you recall hearing the world's best players do it? Yes, they often point, and there are marshals alerting fans of wild shots, but every little action helps to prevent people in the galleries from being hit. In other words, it never hurts to yell it as a precautionary measure.
And how about the end of that memo? A stern warning about these warnings.
"All members are therefore strongly reminded that use of such warnings is expected at all times when there is a risk of injury and failure to do so will result in a player being disciplined under the above regulation."
Sounds good to us.
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