I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades. I fell in love with the aroma when I walked into my first cigar lounge, Fair Oaks Cigars, in South Pasadena, California, when I was 21 years old. I remember my first stogie — Flor de las Antillas from My Father Cigars. During my early 20s and 30s, I smoked cigars religiously, at least five per week. I puffed alone in the living room, hours before getting ready to hit the town with friends. On my patio on a lazy Saturday afternoon. In the car during heavy traffic. On the rooftop lounge at the mid-high-rise building I lived in for a few years in downtown Los Angeles. Inside my loft — decked with concrete floors and walls, and exposed pipes — while watching pay-per-view boxing or a Dodgers game.
No matter the setting, smoking a cigar, to me, was the occasion. I never needed, nor do I need now, a reason to light up. It doesn’t matter if I smoke alone at a lounge or with friends on my patio; I love that, for an hour-plus, time slows down for me. Because smoking cigars can’t and shouldn’t be rushed. It’s not a cigarette. From the moment you light up to when you set down the final stub of a cigar, at least 45 minutes to an hour has passed, during which, if you’re like me, you made new friends, formed stronger bonds, and/or reflected on all that is great in your life.
At least that’s my point of view, which differs from that of legendary golfer John Daly.
I spoke with Daly at TopGolf in Augusta, Georgia, the week of The 90th Masters Tournament, where he had a lot to say about Tiger Woods’ absence following his latest DUI arrest. Daly also didn’t hold back on golfers who smoke cigars on the course. He made it abundantly clear he’s not about that life.
Cigarettes? Sure. Cigars? Pass.
Yes, Daly has his own cigar collection
In Daly’s view, cigars are for special moments, like the birth of a child, or a championship won.
“Cigars are a moment,” said Daly back in April while smoking a cigarette and drinking his Good Boy Vodka seltzer, which he handed me to try (it was actually pretty great, and I’m not a vodka guy).
Daly’s take on cigars is interesting considering the two-time major champion has a cigar collection with San Giuseppe: Long Game The Lion and Short Game The Wild One, which come in one size and are made in the Dominican Republic. They’re pre-cut, too; a slanted cut.
When we sat down to chat at TopGolf, Daly said he last smoked a cigar three days prior.
“I smoked one about three days ago on my bus,” he said. “Time out. Like, [it’s] my time where I could smoke it, dip it in a little brandy, and smoke it.”
He continued, “Cigars are meant to smoke when there’s a moment. I love all these guys that smoke them on the golf courses and s**t, but cigars are a moment, I think.”
I appreciate Daly’s take. But you’ll never not find me on the golf course without a cigar.
I had six cigars with me when I attended Day 2 of The Masters (shout out to Uber for the once-in-a-lifetime invitation). I enjoyed a Padrón stick while taking a break from walking the picturesque greens before making my way to Amen Corner. A gentleman approached me near one of the famous concession stands and asked me where I bought my cigar. I told him and his two friends that I brought them with me. Before their disappointment set in, I pulled three cigars out of my bag. At first they politely declined. I insisted, and then their faces lit up. They couldn’t have been more appreciative.
Imagine that, smoking a cigar on the grounds of Augusta National Golf Club. Talk about a bucket-list moment.
Hopefully John Daly agrees.
