Expertise and advice from the world of cigars and golf.
History of Golf and CigarsMatch Play: The History of Cigars and Golf
Few pairings feel as natural as a round of golf and a good cigar.
Both are rooted in ritual. Both reward patience. And both are best enjoyed in good company.
Maybe that's why they've become such a celebrated twosome. A cigar is as much a part of the fabric of the game as side bets, friendly banter and a post-round drink at the 19th hole.
But how did golf and cigars become so closely connected in the first place? Here's a look at the history behind one of sport's most enduring pairings.
Why Are Cigars Associated With Golf?
Golf and cigars became closely associated because they ask something similar of us: slow down, be present and enjoy the company you're with. Golf gives us something increasingly rare — an uninterrupted afternoon outdoors with people we care about. The cigar simply became part of that tradition.
Over generations, that combination transformed cigars from a post-round tradition into one of the game's most recognizable rituals.
That connection wasn't created by a single tournament or defining moment. Like most great traditions in golf, it developed one foursome, one clubhouse and one memorable round at a time.
The History of Cigars and Golf
The origins of modern golf trace back to 15th-century Scotland. Around the same time, tobacco was beginning its journey across Europe after being introduced from the Americas. Although the two didn't become connected immediately, they gradually found themselves sharing the same social spaces.
As golf clubs evolved during the 18th and 19th centuries, they became more than places to play. They became places where rounds turned into stories and strangers often became regular playing partners. Rounds naturally spilled into the clubhouse, where players relaxed over drinks, replayed the day's best shots and embraced the now-famous tradition of the "19th hole." Cigars quickly became part of that ritual.
By the early 20th century, golf had spread throughout North America, bringing those traditions with it. Premium cigars became part of the experience, not because anyone planned it that way, but because they fit naturally into afternoons built around conversation and good company.
The relationship grew even stronger during the premium cigar revival of the 1990s. At the same time golf was exploding in popularity, cigar culture experienced a resurgence of its own. Iconic images of championship celebrations, bucket-list golf trips and afternoons spent on the course helped cement cigars as one of the game's defining traditions.
What started as a natural pairing had become part of golf culture itself.
Why the Tradition Still Endures
The connection between golf and cigars isn't rooted in history alone. It continues because few activities pair with a premium cigar quite like a round of golf.
It's hard to imagine returning serve in a tennis match with a cigar in your mouth. Golf, on the other hand, unfolds over four or five hours outdoors, with plenty of time between shots to relax, talk and enjoy the company around you.
But the pace of play is only part of the story.
Unlike almost any other major sport, golf gives four people an uninterrupted afternoon together. Annual trips become lifelong traditions. Friends spend months trying to find a weekend that works. Even complete strangers often leave the course feeling like old friends.
Whether you're celebrating your first birdie, finally breaking 80 (or 100), or simply enjoying a few hours outside with your foursome, golf creates the kinds of moments people remember for years — and a cigar has become one of the ways golfers choose to mark them.
That's why the tradition has endured for generations. It's never really been about the cigar itself. It's about making a good day even better.
Golf Is Better Together
The tradition of golf and cigars has always been about more than the game itself. It's about slowing down, enjoying good company and creating the kinds of moments people remember long after the final putt drops.
That's one of the reasons Macanudo is proud to partner with Random Golf Club. Together, we're helping create more opportunities for golfers to connect through community events, shared experiences and a mutual appreciation for the traditions that make golf special.
Looking for the Perfect Golf Cigar?
Understanding the history is one thing. Choosing the right cigar for your next round is another.
Whether you're looking for a beginner-friendly smoke, a cigar that can last all 18 holes or the perfect way to celebrate your best round yet, we've put together a complete guide to the best Macanudo cigars for golf.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf and Cigars
Why do golfers smoke cigars?
Many golfers enjoy cigars because they naturally complement the pace and social nature of the game. A round of golf provides several hours outdoors to relax, celebrate milestones and spend time with friends, making it an ideal occasion for a premium cigar.
When did cigars become associated with golf?
The tradition developed gradually during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as golf clubs became social gathering places. Over time, cigars became part of post-round celebrations, golf trips and memorable moments on the course.
Can you smoke cigars on every golf course?
Policies vary by course. Many golf courses welcome cigar smokers, while others have restrictions. Always check local rules before lighting up and be respectful of fellow golfers.
Why do golf and cigars pair so well?
Golf offers something few other sports do: several uninterrupted hours outdoors with friends. That slower pace, combined with the traditions and camaraderie of the game, makes golf one of the most natural settings for enjoying a premium cigar.
Round In Review
The relationship between golf and cigars has lasted for generations, but it's never really been about tobacco.
It's about slowing down, celebrating the shot you'll be talking about all week, finally getting the group together after months of trying to find a weekend that works.
Long after the scorecards are forgotten, those are the moments people remember.
That's why golf and cigars still feel like they were made for each other.
