George Bernard Shaw said, that “Playing golf is a good way to ruin a nice walk.” Well, that may be so, but lazy bastards like me ride in a cart so I’ve got that all covered. Plus, since I live in the Sunshine State, walking isn’t always an option if you want to actually be alive after a four and a half hour round in 95-degree heat.

There are so many things great about a round of golf… time spent with your buddies, fresh air, one with nature, and let’s not dare leave out a stinking hot cart girl. There is nothing like seeing a cutie in shorts driving your way to deliver some ice cold beer and a few minutes of mindless flirtation.

But perhaps one of the biggest enjoyments during an 18-hole round is time spent with your best buddy of all – a big tasty premium cigar. I love a nice gar on the course. Nothing relaxes me more when I’m having a bad round, and may I say I’ve done some of my finest swearing during a day on the links. And on the contrary, nothing enhances a good round more. Golf is an escape from the real world, and a good hand rolled cigar just adds to the experience. Each puff is almost like a celebration of this diversion from work, the wife, chores, and basically everything that’s connected to everyday life.

I’ll usually light up one on each nine, and one after the round while annihilating my brain cells with liquid refreshments. I personally like a big-ass smoke, so it lasts a good six or seven holes or so. Speaking of the big boys, I enjoy are the Ashton Churchill, Montecristo Classic Double Corona, an Avo Churchill, and the grand daddy of golf cigars, the Fuente Canones. No, they’re not full-bodied smokes, but I don’t want that while I’m playing a round. I like a nice full-flavored cigar “after” the round – maybe a hefty Perdomo, a Camacho, and yes, a stick from the island 90 miles south of Miami really tends to hit the spot.

I often will say that my cigar is by far my favorite club in the bag. You know, come to think of it, golf is probably just my excuse to smoke cigars. I prepare my selection the night before, choosing the length and ring gauge with great thought, as one would choose the right club to tee off on a certain hole. I also make sure to bring extra smokes for the company that I’ll be with. I’ll make sure to select a few choice premiums in case I’m with another BOTL or two, and I’ll also grab several of the bundled variety for the guy who only puffs on courses or at weddings. Yes, I’m a benevolent man, but that’s what makes cigar smoking so special. If you can’t share, it ain’t worth it.