Stogie Tips: Cigars and Golf
2 May 2011
[Editors’ Note: In celebration of the five-year anniversary of StogieGuys.com, we’re updating and re-publishing some of our oldest articles, many of which focused on cigar basics. Our hope is to encourage a discussion among readers and reacquaint the community with important cigar fundamentals.]
Golf and cigars go together perfectly. You’ve got hours outdoors, you can ash your cigar anywhere without getting dirty looks (except for the greens), and compared to the rest of society, golf courses generally provide cigar-friendly environments.
There are plenty of firms looking to cash in on this match made in heaven with all kinds of specialty golf cigar gadgets ranging from cigar tees to hold your cigar to golf bag humidors. But dropping extra cash on a gadget is completely unnecessary if you follow a few simple tips.
First, make a good decision about what to smoke. The golf course is perfect for a Churchill or, if a smaller ring gauge is more to your liking, a lonsdale. Remember that your cigar may sit un-smoked for awhile as you four-putt, only to find that it went out. Larger cigars have a higher tolerance for re-lighting.
Second, you need to light your cigar properly. While golf courses are perfect for smoking a stogie, the wind that never seems to be blowing at your back can make lighting a cigar awfully difficult. If blocking the wind with your hand doesn’t get the job done, you may want to try using a hat to block the breeze. Or sit in your golf cart (if you’re riding, not walking) and duck behind the clear plastic windshield. A torch is preferable to matches under windy conditions.
After you’ve got your cigar selected and lit properly, the next challenge is deciding where to rest your cigar while you swing away. Plenty of outfits hawk special “cigar tees,†but all you need is a flat, non-flammable surface: various places in golf carts, tee box markers, or even a few tees from your bag. Just try to avoid laying your cigar directly on the grass—especially the greens—as many golf courses are saturated with chemical fertilizers.
Our final tip regards how many cigars to bring to the course in the first place. The standard is one cigar for every nine holes. But it’s better to come over-prepared, especially if the course has a slow pace of play. That makes three cigars per 18-hole round a good rule of thumb. Just remember to store your stash safely in your golf bag inside a simple leather case or a cigar tube.
photo credit: Flickr
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Hey guys. Last time I played golf was with my father YEARS ago, but I haven't had the chance to go again due to my lack of golfing equipment. My last cigar was an Ave Maduro, double corona/churchil size. A good smoke, for the record. Anyway, I'm graduating very soon and would love a box and bag to split with my pop to bond and celebrate. Thanks for the great website guys!!! We all enjoy it, so keep it up!
Mini Golf about 10 years ago in Colorado. Wishing good luck to all the golfers who've entered.
I went to the pitch and put last september but I haven't been out at all yet this season. I did get to some a Yobor City Connecticut though.
I don't golf, but I did have a Partagas Black Label Maximo. My first one, but it won't be my last
Played 18 yesterday -shot an 87 with my Perdomo Champagne 10th Anniversary Torpedo!
i was accompanying my aunt as she made her swings in the golf course. It is also a pleasure to be able to enjoy a stogie or two while on the green, watching other golfers swing. I had a Hoyo Epicure Especiales. Good for 1.5hrs time.
I haven't played golf in over two years – either no time, no money, and usually both. If I remember correctly, I brought a couple CAOs with me, plus a few mild cheaper cigars for the occasional cigar smokers in our group.
I last played on Sunday. I went with a Cubao No. 4 which is a great choice for golf. Low maintenance and tastes great!
My Xikar is perfect for resisting the wind on the course.
I played Nags Head in North Carolina last week on a vacation trip to the Outer Banks. I smoked a 601 blue from a new box just recently purchased. I was very pleased that the cigar seemed unchanged after the acquisition by Rocky Patel and the the new banding. Has always been an excellent cigar and a frequent go to smoke. Love your site and all of the info available.
Thanks,
GAR
I got to say there is nothing like a good round of golf and a great stogie, I tend to like the t52 by drew estates.
I do not golf. I do have kids and son-in-laws that do. I did just smoked a great Oliveros Eight Zero Toro. Good luck to everyone.
I don't remember the last time I actually played golf. However, I'm starting to pick the game back up. I hit the driving range on Thursday, 05/19 & then kicked back & enjoyed a Gurkha Regent Torpedo and a liter of home brew.
I last played at Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, NJ. I was smoking a Rocky Patel Vintage 1990, my all time favorite cigar!
Played Ko Olina in Honolulu, HI. Beautiful course but windy today. Enjoyed a Montecristo White!
Played last week….brought a few cao brazilia's for the fellas and they brought some gentleman jack. Nothing like sunshine, smoke and a drink on the course. Peace…..
Played a round at Strawberry Creek and enjoyed an Alec Bradley "Freak." The round was nothing to write hame about (hey it's May in Wisconsin)but the AB stick was worth the effort.
Played last night got 9 in before the torential downpour came. It was My 43rd birthday, shot a 45 (good score for Me), Smoked a Rocky Patel Olde World, and a Perdomo Reserve Golf (iron size 5×50). Oh, and I also drank many beers too. Awesome bday night.
I last played golf at The Balsams of northern NewHampshire. I was the woodwind section in the now defunct band playing through the summer. This was 2 years ago and my last steady employment. Once a season the usually benevolent bandleader – we'll call him Rick – had Band Golf Day, to which I brought along a modicum of optimism, some borrowed clubs and a variety of cigars. I thought it curious that no one else enjoyed these 2 activities at the same time, at least on that day, I was the lone smoker.
Maintain.
Last time golfing for me was last year. Although many golfers tend to smoke a lower quality cigar (one that won't be wasted with the focus being on golfing), I have accepted my lack of golf skills and like to smoke a quality stogie. My stick of choice last time was one of my favorites – a Torano Exodus 1959 Churchill.
Golfed last weekend. Shot (under 100) other than that, the score is not worth mentoning!!!
I enjoyed an Ashton VSG while hacking my way thru 18 holes. It is also worth noting, several frosty cold beverages where consumed as well.
Cigars and Golf are truely a perfect match!!!!!!!!!!
Yesterday was an absolutely beeutiful afternoon for golfing in Parker County in NC Texas. My buddy and I played a best ball round at Sugartree while we enjoyed some great cigars: an Acid 5 robusto got us started, followed by a Camacho 1962 churchill, and we finished with a Nub Connecticut torpedo. Enjoyed several Shiner bocks and Guinness in a bottle – brilliant! Carded several birdies and pars, and had the best time!
I played Mon at Angeles National in LA and smoked a CAO La Traviata and a Mi Barrio.
I enjoyed a couple of CAO La Traviatas at River Strand in Bradenton, FL last weekend. I plan to hit the cigar store for a couple of yet to be determined stogies before a round at Hunters Green in Tampa tomorrow!
I am a 60 year old USAF veteran and after hip surgery last fall have not been able to play for over a year now but they say I may be able to again play next spring..I sure hope so. As far as when I last played and enjoyed a fine cigar, it had to be at a local course here in Memphis, called Overton Park. I had two Perdomo Habano Maduro's to keep me mellowed out so I could hit the ball!! One for the course and one for the 19th hole stop!!
The last time I played golf and smoked was 3 weeks ago at Eagle Creek Golf course as I arrived home from college in Cleveland Ohio. I enjoyed my cheap go to cigar an American Stogie Maduro Chuchill. In my opinion, and it is very humble as I try to learn more and more about cigars and golf all in the same, this is a very underrated cigar and was quite enjoyable to go out and play golf with my girlfriend who enjoyed a St. Luis Rey Rothschilde.
Smoking with my girlfriend makes it that much more enjoyable!
Played last year, shot an 87 with my Punch Rare Corojo!