By Ryan Finley
GolfArizona.com Staff Writer

“I seldom play golf without one,” Curtis, the owner of a local cigar shop, said. “The way I play golf, I need something to relax me.”

For centuries, men (and now women) from all over the world have been combining two of the world’s simplest pleasures: tobacco and golf. The combination of the two vices seem to fit together perfectly: the frustrations of the game mixing with the sedative of the tobacco; the light sweet odor of freshly cut grass combining with the heavy smoke of the cigar.

From Michael Jordan to Bill Clinton, celebrities have been puffing all types of cigars: expensive and cheap, Cuban and Honduran, Churchills or Robustos in record numbers. GolfArizona.com asked some local golf professionals and a cigar store owner about their favorite stogies and smoking recommendations.

Many of Tucson’s golf courses will sell cigars. However, the Tucson municipal facilities do not sell cigars on the premises of the course, due to the fact that they cannot be smoked indoors, as is city ordinance.

“It’s just a personal opinion, but I don’t believe cigars should be smoked on the premises of the course,” Bill Brooks, pro at Tucson’s Randolph Park, said. “You can smell them throughout the course…frankly I find them to be a distraction. (I) Don’t smoke them. Never will.”

However, in the world of golfing, Brooks seems to be in the minority.

In Tucson’s many resorts, cigars are big business.

Dan Flynn, a professional at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson’s foothills, explains that cigar sales have a lot to do with clientele.

“We here at the Westin cater to a lot of corporate types, important business-type people,” he said. “For some reason, that demographic of people seem to like cigars more than the average golfer.”

Cigar Tee Holder

Flynn admits that he will smoke one from time to time on the course, his favorite being the Cohiba.

“I like the taste, it’s not too strong for me, which is always important,” Flynn said. “For some reasons, the players tend to stick with the Sosa because it’s the cheapest one we sell. Few golfers will buy a super-expensive cigar to golf with.”

The Vistoso golf club in Tucson is another one of the city’s finer procurers of cigars.

“We carry the Macanudo, the Arturo Fuentes, Punch, Ashton, all kinds,” Vistoso pro Chris Smith said. “The Arturo Fuente has a taste that is, at least for me, far ahead of the others. They’re all fine cigars, though.”

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His advice is, simply, that size does matter.

“I recommend a big cigar,” Curtis said. “When smoking a stogie leisurely, one has to remember that a bigger cigar makes for a smoother, cleaner smoke. A cigar that can last most of the 18 holes is ideal for me. Some people can’t take it that long.”

An ideal big cigar is a Churchill, which refers to the size rather that the brand. A stereotypical cigar in terms of size, a good Churchill can last for hours.

“Sometimes, I’ll have one last the whole round,” Curtis said.

According to Curtis, some golfers might have better luck bringing along two Robusto-sized cigars. Stocky and often punchy in nature, Robustos bring with them an air of simplicity and short-term pleasure.

“Maybe two Robustos will do the trick for some golfers,” Curtis said. “One for the front nine, and, depending on how the game is going, maybe one for the back nine.”

Either way, Curtis says, an occasional cigar on the links can add to the overall feel of the golf experience.

“Cigar smoking aids in relaxation and contemplation,” Curtis says. “If you golf to relax, it will aid in that. If you golf competitively, I feel they will calm you down.”

Just remember, golf and smoking should be enjoyed in moderation.