Golf and cigars have gone together for about as long as either has been a fixture of American leisure. Some players call a good cigar their unofficial 15th club: something to hold between shots that slows the pace down and gives the round a rhythm. A standard Robusto or Toro burns for roughly 60 to 90 minutes, close to the time it takes to play a brisk nine holes, which is part of why the pairing works as well as it does. Add a cold beer at the turn or in the clubhouse after, and you have the full package.
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Front Nine: Start Mellow
Early in the round, before the sun is fully up and while the coffee is still working, a Connecticut-wrapped cigar is the safer choice. These run mellow to medium and will not compete with your focus on the tee box.
Back Nine: Add Some Body
By the turn, most players are ready for something with a bit more character. A medium-bodied cigar keeps pace with a round that has settled into its rhythm.
The 19th Hole: The Reward Smoke
Once the round is over and the scorecards are settled, this is the time for something fuller-bodied. A richer cigar alongside a good beer is the natural way to close out the day.
What Beer to Drink at Each Stage
- Padron Damaso No. 12 with a light lager. Clean and crisp, it will not fight the cigar’s vanilla and cedar notes this early in the round.
- Macanudo Ascot with a wheat beer. Both are light, easy and quick, matching the pace of a fast nine.
- La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut Monarch with an amber ale. More malt character to match the fuller body as the round goes on.
- Liga Privada No. 9 with a Russian imperial stout. Both are dark, earthy and rich, built for slowing down at the end of the day.
Keeping Cigars Fresh on the Course
- Carry a travel humidor or a sealed cigar case, not a bare pocket. Heat and dry air on a golf course will dry out a wrapper fast.
- A cutter and a torch lighter belong in the bag alongside your tees. Wind on an open course makes a torch lighter far more reliable than a standard flame.
- Cigar sizes with a 44 to 52 ring gauge are the easiest to hold one-handed while you carry a club or a beer in the other.
More Ways to Pair Beer and Cigars
Go back to the full beer and cigar pairing guide, or if you are hosting instead of golfing, see our Beer and Cigar Tasting Night guide.
FAQ
Why do golfers smoke cigars?
A cigar’s burn time roughly matches the pace of a round, about 60 to 90 minutes for a Robusto or Toro, which is close to what it takes to play a brisk nine holes. It also gives players something to do with their hands between shots that does not rush the pace of play.
What cigar should I smoke early in a round?
A mellow, Connecticut-wrapped cigar like a Macanudo Ascot or Padron Damaso. These are light enough not to compete with your focus early in the day.
How do you keep a cigar fresh on the golf course?
Carry it in a sealed travel case or a small humidor rather than loose in a pocket. Heat and dry air on an open course will dry out a wrapper quickly.
What beer goes with a cigar on the golf course?
Match the beer to the stage of the round: light lagers and wheat beers early on, ambers through the back nine, and something richer like a stout once you are done.
