Cigar Tips for the Golf Course
There are few things more enjoyable to a golfer who smokes cigars than lighting up on the course. And with the proliferation of smoking bans around the country, especially in such states as Florida and California, the golf course has become one of the last great sanctuaries for cigar aficionados. What better reason then to ensure that your golf cigar experience is the best it can be.
To start, it's important to select your golf cigar with the same attention you'd give to purchasing a new club. Always go with premium, handmade cigars. And consider the size, strength, flavor and construction of the stick before you pack it in your bag. Grab any old cigar from the clubhouse humidor and you may be stuck with a smoke that won't stay lit, is too spicy or too full-bodied for you -- an experience that could take you right out of your game. Here are five more tips that will add to the enjoyment of your golf cigar.
Practice Before You Play
Be familiar with the cigar before you pull it out on the first tee. Makers of premium smokes work hard to create a variety of blends that match smokers' distinctive palates. Cigar flavors range from sweet to spicy, and strength varies from mild to full-bodied. Light up a super-strong, Cuban Montecristo no. 2 you're not used to smoking and you may ruin your round.
Keep Them Fresh.
Premium cigars need to be properly stored to ensure the tobacco used in the filler, binder and wrapper marry correctly. The proper way to store cigars is in a humidor that maintains 70% humidity and a constant 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, most cigar-shop humidors are poorly maintained. Depending on the time of year, pro shop cigars can be too dry (they lose essential oils and turn brittle) or too moist (they can develop mold and burn unevenly). So if you're not bringing smokes from your own humidor, it's best to buy them from an established tobacconist.
Consider Time of Day
The Churchill (approximately seven to eight inches long, with a ring gauge of 48 to 50), remains the most popular choice among golfers. But it may be too much for the front nine of an early morning round. And on an empty stomach, it could knock you out. Smaller coronas (approximately five and a half inches long) and robustos (typically five inches long) are made to deliver the same flavors and strengths of a Churchill, but they take half the time to smoke. That means you can enjoy two per round. Or you can save the Churchill for after the turn, lunch or over a drink on the 19th hole.
Evaluate the Elements
Remember that on a golf course, unlike a cozy cigar lounge, your cigar will be exposed to wind, humidity, rain and other elements. So pick a cigar with a durable wrapper. Lighter, shade-grown wrappers, for instance, can be less durable and elastic than darker sun-grown wrappers. So they may split, even unravel on the course. On windy days or while riding a cart, consider rolling the cigar in your fingers so that your smoke does not burn too fast or unevenly.
Pack the Right Gear
Buy yourself a cigar cutter, butane lighter, some plastic cigar tubes and a holder. Always clip off the cap of a cigar with your cutter. Biting off the cap of a cigar can cause the wrapper split and unravel, even ruining the draw. The slightest wind can render matches useless, so use your torch lighter to ensure your burn starts out and remains even. And put your premiums in tubes so they don't get crushed in your bag. Finally, a cigar clip or holder can help you pace yourself during the round. Constantly holding and puffing your cigar will cause it to burn too hot, releasing bitter tars and oils and reduce the quality of your smoke.
John von Brachel
7/23/08
