I don't have a problem with it, as it do it myself, but some smokers have no tact or sense of subtlety. I wouldn't blaze openly on a tee box with people I don't know, or aren't comfortable with it. More often than not I have plenty of opportunities to take a small hit of a pinch hitter on the course without anyone knowing. Which totally works for me. Getting blasted out of my mind doesn't help with golf much.
Sometimes I wish the alcoholics who go out golfing would be more subtle as well. The people I do know who smoke while golfing behave much better than the drunks.
I had the sh*t till it all got smoked, I took the promise until the vows got broke.