It shows maturity and a great strength of character.
However, it is a practice which should be kicked into touch during times of extreme competitive pressure, like at the 21st Media Masters Golf Tournament, which took place recently at the Siam Country Club in Thailand.
Mark Stradling, general manager, MediaCompete Malaysia, thought all had been lost when he shot the ball into the river on the 15th hole. Not a quitter, he coolly readjusted his focus and continued to plug away.
He was also egged on by tournament leader, Francois Theron, the head of Thai cable company, UBC, who sportingly gave words of encouragement to Stradling. That helped Stradling keep in touch with the leading pack.
However, Theron's magnanimity cost him the tournament as a fired-up Stradling turned in the most sterling performance of his golfing life to take the honours with a one-shot lead, after just averting a playoff with the UBC boss in one of the most gripping finishes in years.
A gleeful Stradling, who beat a strong field of 17 golfers at the 54-hole, three-day event, was presented with the 'Green Jacket' and the coveted claret jug by last year's winner, Steve Marcopoto, head of Turner Broadcasting.