A cigar on the course is one of golf's great simple pleasures — something to savor slowly over a few holes on a nice afternoon. But if you've never smoked one, the whole thing can feel like a club you don't have the password to. Here's everything you need to enjoy your first golf cigar without fumbling.
Picking your first cigar
Start mild. A big, strong cigar will knock a beginner sideways — go for something described as mild to medium, often with a smooth Connecticut wrapper (usually lighter in color). Tell the person at the cigar shop it's one of your first and they'll point you the right way. For golf, a medium-sized cigar that burns 45 minutes to an hour is perfect — long enough to enjoy over a few holes, not so long it outlasts your round.
Cut it clean
You cut the closed end (the "cap") before lighting. A guillotine cutter is the easiest for beginners — make one confident, straight cut just above the cap's shoulder. Cut too much and it'll unravel; a small, clean cut is all you need. If you don't have a cutter, most cigar shops and clubhouses do.
Light it right
- Use a butane lighter or a wooden match — not a regular gas lighter, which can affect the taste.
- Hold the foot (the open end) just above the flame without touching it, and rotate the cigar to toast the edge evenly.
- Once the rim glows, put it to your lips, keep rotating, and puff gently until it's evenly lit.
How to actually smoke it
Here's the golden rule: you don't inhale a cigar. Draw the smoke into your mouth, enjoy the flavor, and let it out. Inhaling will make you green in the face fast. Puff slowly — about once a minute — so it doesn't overheat and turn harsh. And don't ash it constantly; a cigar likes a little ash on the end. Let it fall on its own when it's ready.
Pick something mild, cut it clean, toast it evenly, and puff slow without inhaling. That's the whole ritual. Take your time, enjoy the flavor, and you'll understand why a cigar and a good walk go together so well.