Golf has traditionally been seen as a gentleman’s sport. The players have typically been known to be clean cut, avoiding any types of dirty habits. So, it is a bit tough to imagine professional golfers participating in cigarette smoking. However, there have been plenty of golfers throughout the years that still seem to enjoy a smoke or two on tour.
I decided to take a look around to see which current and past PGA golfers still smoke, here is what I found.
PGA Golfers Who Smoke:
- John Daly
- Tim Herron
- Marcel Siem
- Darren Clarke
- Thomas Bjorn
If you are surprised at all that there are golfers that do smoke while on tour, then you are not alone. Generally, the PGA tries not to televise any players smoking. This is likely due to the fact that the PGA does have younger fans, and televising something like smoking may not have the best impact on them.
1. John Daly
Probably one of the most well known cigarette smokers in the professional golf world is John Daly. Since he started playing in 1987, Daly would smoke regularly during tours and rounds of golf.
He has claimed, in an interview with Graham Bensinger, that he began smoking in college to lose weight so that he could play on the golf team.
2. Tim Herron
Another player who is known to smoke on the course is Tim Herron. While his smoking habits are lesser known than John Daly’s he still has a small reputation of smoking. In fact, there is a viral photo of Tim Herron ‘Claw-Grip’ putting with a cigarette in hand.
This photo clearly shows his master-class skill, being able to put while holding a smoke at the same time.
3. Marcel Siem
Marcel Siem seems to be the youngest player on this list who smokes cigarettes while playing golf. According to sources, Marcel Siem is more likely to smoke days prior to tournaments rather than smoking the day of the tournament.
4. Darren Clarke
Another golfer who is almost as notorious as John Daly for smoking during his golf rounds is Darren Clarke. He frequently smokes cigarettes and cigars in between strokes. Unsurprisingly, he has brought a significant amount of controversy regarding cigarette smoking on professional tours.
5. Thomas Bjorn
Thomas Bjorn has been one of the more casual smokers in the professional golf world. One of his more well known smoking photos was taken back in 2002 during the Ryder Cup. While reading the green before a putt, he can be seen taking a few drags from his cigarette.
Is Smoking Allowed on PGA Tour?
Currently, the PGA does not have any specific rules that prohibit players from smoking on tour.
However, it does seem as though certain venues ban smoking on their premises. In other words, PGA Players are allowed to smoke as long as the club/course does not have any policies that prohibit it.
I got into contact with an employee from Bethpage Golf Course (a club that has hosted multiple PGA tournaments). According to him, there are designated areas on the course where PGA golfers can smoke, however they are totally allowed to smoke on the course as well.
Interestingly, I found an image of John Daly smoking a cigarette on the course during a PGA tournament. This video makes it seem like PGA players can smoke where they please.