[alangbaker]

Originally Posted by JPsuff

That's exactly how I look at it and that's why I have "issues" with the "Hurry up and hit" crowd. I've said many times that I actually prefer it when I have a short wait on the next tee. It gives me a chance to relax a bit and I do the same thing as you suggest; chat, chip, maybe take care of a little golf bag housekeeping.

One thing I would add to what you've posted is this: If you're waiting, whether on the tee or in the fairway, DO NOT take a club out of the bag until you're ready to begin your preshot. Waiting somewhere and holding the club you're going to hit while you're waiting is almost a guarantee of messing up the next shot. While you're holding that club, you're subconsciously thinking about it, the shot, the lie, the stakes, the score and when it finally comes time to hit your shot, you have so many things going through your mind (most of them negative) that the odds on hitting the shot you'd like to hit are approaching negative numbers.

Leave the club in the bag until it's time to use it. Then, when you have a clear picture of what you are going to do, take out the necessary club, go through your normal preshot and then hit the ball.

Absolutely!

I didn't say it, but it is definitely part of what I do...

...or more importantly, don't do.