The Goat Track

Terrence sits down with JDV to unpack an unforgettable few days up in Mpumalanga. They cover the unique layout and routing of Kambaku Golf Club in Komatipoort. Is it better than Boschoek? Where does the name come from? And what happens when an architectural appreciation round gets interrupted by an absolutely insane crocodile sighting right ABOVE the course. Taking a quick detour from the fairways...

The dust is still settling after our recent Top 100 rankings interview, and the feedback has been flying in. In this episode, we unpack the reaction—the good, the bad, and the fiercely debated—and dive into why certain course rankings get everyone so fired up. Next, Hoff takes center stage to talk through his latest game-improvement toys and his ambitious roadmap for upcoming lessons. Will the tec...

In this episode, we sit down with Golf Digest editor and the mastermind behind the South African Top 100 courses ranking system, Stuart McLean. We pull back the curtain on the entire ranking process to discover exactly who assesses the courses, how the scoring categories are structured, and how panelists separate a great overall experience from a course's true architectural ranking. Stuart also op...

Is the LIV party over before it truly began? We open this week’s episode with a look at the latest funding drama and the ripples it’s sending through the South African golf landscape. The heart of the show, however, is dedicated to the upcoming Top 100 course rankings. We debate which tracks are sliding, which are surging, and take a bold swing at predicting the new Top 10. To wrap up, we move awa...

The dust has settled on another Major week, and while the leaderboards were lacking a South African flag at the top, there is plenty to unpack. We sit down to discuss our biggest takeaways from the latest event and why the Sunday charge from the local contingent never materialized. And may not for a while. JDV gives us a candid (and frustrated) update on his ongoing battle with the handicap app. M...

JDV, TBag and special guest Dimitri aka Silly Goose Golf team up to discuss all things Masters. They chat about what makes a good Masters, what they are hoping for and which winner they would least like to see. The lads then dive into the Masters 2026 Player draft picking from 5 categories each and there are some serious surprises straight out of the gate.

What a week in Johannesburg! Terrence, Tucky, JDv, and Hoff sit down to break down the madness and the magic of LIV Golf SA 2026, covering everything from the massive galleries and logistical wins to the players who actually moved the needle. The boys dive deep into the unique Jozi "fan culture," summarizing the best (and most brutal) chants and chirps heard on the course before looking at the big...

JDV and T deliver an on-the-ground preview of the much-anticipated LIV Golf South Africa. This episode of The Goat Track breaks down the massive scale of the event’s arrival, from the sprawling infrastructure build-out to the strategic nuances of the Highveld. We shift the focus to the technical demands of the layout, discussing the local wildlife on the course and how specific turf conditions—fro...

Stellenbosch is a vibe, but is it a Championship test? Fresh off the grounds of the latest South African Open, we’re joined once again by Ben Karpinski to dissect a week in the Winelands. We move past the standard leaderboard recap to look at the architectural bones of the course, the energy of the crowds, and whether the "National Open" identity is being preserved or diluted. The experience at St...

JDV and T discuss the ongoing handicap saga, the curse hanging over Durban Country Club and preview the SA Open in Stellenbosch.

This week, JDV and T dive headfirst into the absolute chaos of the recent South African handicap system migration. If you’ve spent more time staring at a loading screen than on the tee box lately, this one is for you. JDV goes on an all-time rant about the "handicap app from hell," the data migration disaster, and what this technical nightmare actually means for your index in the short term. Is yo...

In Episode 81, we dive into the Stingers rebrand. Did they workshop the new name? T has some concerns with that and the exact same roster returning, we ask the uncomfortable question: Is this franchise evolving, or is it stuck as an "Old Boys Club" that prioritizes vibes over victory? The concern doesn't stop there. We also tackle the news of Stellenbosch Golf Club hosting the SA Open. It’s a nice...

JDV and TBag take you through their back 9 of their compilation 18 holes for 2025. There are some high quality courses named and not a single one in KZN!

We're back! And we start with a favorite from last year - a compilation of our best 18 holes played in 2025. This time JDV and TBag alternate holes and there are some bangers amongst them. This episode covers the front 9 and includes holes from Zimablai Lakes, The Links, Durban Country Club and a host of others.

Tucky and Hoff are back giving people the opinions no one asked for! Wandering off the beaten path again and unpacking the Springboks’ end-of-year tour; the good, the bad, and will Sasha become the GOAT. They check in on the upcoming Rugby World Cup draw and how things might shake-out. They also can’t ignore the Sharks, who are currently in such grim form it doesn't feel like it could get worse......

TBag and JDV go deep on the best par-3s in KZN, comparing notes from some of the province’s most iconic tracks. From the coastal beauty of Southbroom, Wild Coast, Durban, Umkho and Princes Grant, to the inland standouts at Gowrie, Champagne Sports, and Cotswold Downs, they unpack what elevates a par-3 from “good” to unforgettable. Along the way, they chat about why KZN seems to produce these holes...

We're golf adjacent this week! Tucky and Hoff are back on The Goat Track as they break down the Springboks’ end-of-year tour. They unpack what’s to come for Rassie and his men, and what it all means heading into 2026. Then it’s over to the Sharks: what is happening?? The guys debate who could step in and what direction the franchise really needs to take. Expect a few honest takes, a couple of digs...

We finally get another course review as JDV and T do a deep dive on the newest 18-hole course in South Africa -  Zimbali Lakes. They chat about the Ernie Els involvement, the cost and their favorite holes. JDV tackles the handicap rating issue and T speculates where this course will land in the SA Top 100 rankings.

Much like the famed documentary, this episode explores alot and not much. In My October Teacher, we dive into the strange lessons of October -  from Hoff’s tales of questionable golf lessons to Ryder Cup takeaways, South Africa’s success at the World Amateur Team Champs, and the KZN Sunshine Tour swing. We also check in on our own golf goals (some thriving, others begging for a mulligan) and wrap...

Every golfer has their quirks, but our regular guest Fuad takes pre-round rituals and on-course habits to another level. From how he dresses, to the way he sets up his gear, to the strange rules he follows mid-round—his list of superstitions is as long as a par 5. We dig into them all, laugh at the madness, and uncover whether these little rituals actually help or just add pressure. If you’ve ever...

Hoff covers seven eclectic rankings from his best Goat Track to his worst Golf experience. A few courses take a couple of strays from his soapbox.

We’re kicking off a brand-new series SEVEN – rankings, lists, bests, worsts and the kind of debates golfers live for. First up? JDV’s Favourite Courses. Expect some of the country’s undisputed heavy hitters, a few sensible locks, and one or two curveballs that might surprise you. How does your list stacks up against JDV’s.

We dissect Tucky’s wild, sun-scorched round at Zimbali Lakes — a journey so dramatic it’s now simply known as Touching the Sun. Was it the mid-round wrap? The long-sleeve jersey? Or the fateful choice to forgo a cold beer? Step by step, swing by swing, we unravel the mystery behind a round that was equal parts inspiring, baffling, and — in moments — heartbreakingly tragic. It’s a tale every golfer...

JDV, T and Tucky break down all things Open Championship including the course, the favorite's and the Saffas in the field. We also briefly touch on Tucky's unreal round of golf last week and hear about JDV's planned winter golf trip to Cape Town.

This week we’re joined by Lynton from Boekenhoutskloof, one of South Africa’s most iconic wineries. We trace their journey from humble small-batch beginnings to becoming the powerhouse behind some of the country’s most recognisable wine labels. Naturally, we mix in some golf — celebrating the South African legends who’ve hoisted the Claret Jug, from Bobby Locke to Gary Player, Ernie Els, and Louis...