The Goat Track

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 marked your ball a certain way “for luck,” worn the same hat after a good round, or avoided talking about your score until the 18th is done—you’ll feel right at home in this chat.

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 knows: when the dream round starts to smoulder. We unpack how it happens, why it happens, and what to do (or never do) when you find yourself flying too close to the golfing sun.

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 Oosthuizen. It’s a proper blend of grapes and greats. We also drop details on an exclusive wine special for The Open: Goat Track members get 20% off Boekenhoutskloof wines from July 7–14 with code TGTopen20. 🍷⛳ A little wine. A little history. A lot of love for The Open

This week on The Goat Track, TBag is joined by fellow golf junkie and media maven Ben Karpinski for a wide-ranging chat that covers the beautiful madness of loving this game. From the thrill of being a true golf sicko to debates around the pro scene, it’s a proper dive into the good stuff. We shine a light on Casandra Alexander’s rise, try to unpack Tommy Fleetwood’s North American struggles, and go all-in on why Keegan Bradley simply has to be on that Ryder Cup team. Ben also takes us through his recent trip to Scotland—a trip that reminded him why he fell in love with the game in the first place.

This week on The Goat Track, we’re all in on the U.S. Open—and Oakmont is the perfect villain. We dig into the course’s storied, punishing history and take a fascinating detour into the origins of the stimpmeter (spoiler: it all started right here). We also revisit Ernie Els’ gritty 1994 win, touching on the drama that nearly derailed it. We get our picks locked in, a fresh update on the Major GOAT leaderboard, and discuss a new wrinkle added to Wunderpar. Plus, we stir the pot in our Goat Track Golfchamps pool and launch some fun “games within the game” for Oakmont week. If you like your majors fast, firm, and just a little unhinged—this episode’s for you.

On this week’s The Goat Track, we go coast to coast—from the Eastern Cape’s underrated gems to chaos on the global stage. We chat golf in the Eastern Cape, then pivot to Hoffs’ personal renaissance as he rekindles his love affair with the game. Is the PGA Championship really a major? We throw it in the ring. We also unpack Golfchamps disasters, dissect Rory’s form moving forward, and explore the curious case of crumbling driver faces. There’s speculation flying about who TBag will be caddying for in August, a bizarre "Whitehouse" golf delegation making headlines, and rumors of a potential LIV Golf event landing in South Africa. Plus, we raise some pointed questions about the latest SA Top 100 rankings—because something smells a bit off. Tee it up with us for another punchy, unfiltered ride through the business and banter of golf.

JDV, Hoff and T muse over some important topics - who is the current best Saffa golfer? Is Portugal a better golf destination than Scotland? Who makes a good outsider for a Golfchamps team this week?

They say Muirfield in Scotland is a lunch club with a world-class golf course attached—and we got a taste of that tradition right here in South Africa. T and JDV had the chance to experience the charm and ceremony of a typical Muirfield day by teeing it up in the bi-annual Muirfield Quaich, hosted at Gowrie Farm in the KZN Midlands. In this episode, they unpack the meaning behind the mysterious “quaich,” the rituals that define the day, and the nuances of foursomes golf. On the back nine of the pod, they explore the newly added holes at Gowrie Farm and why the course is such a perfect stage for match play.

Tour Championship winner Michael Hollick joins The Goat Track for a wide-ranging chat on life inside—and outside—the ropes. After a strong start to his professional career, Michael faced a tough stretch mid-way through his journey. He opens up about how confronting the possibility of stepping away from the game brought him unexpected clarity and helped him rediscover his best form. We also dive into why the Sunshine Tour remains a hidden gem for local talent—and yes, Michael called the Masters winner before it happened. A grounded, insightful look at the mindset of a player who's grown through the game.

It finally happened—Rory McIlroy slips on the green jacket at Augusta, and we break down every twist in his rollercoaster final round. From clutch brilliance to nervy moments, it was vintage Rory drama. Justin Rose filled the Bryson-sized protagonist void with near-perfect golf, making Rory earn the career grand slam. We dive into the electric walk from the 18th green, why the Butler Cabin ceremony might be past its expiry date, and how our squads fared in the Major GOAT Draft. Then we close with some bold predictions: how many more majors can Rory realistically win from here? This is one for the books.

We speak to Steele Slater -  the founder of Slater Golf - a new premium golf brand homemade in South Africa. Steele talks us through the inspiration behind the brand and how fashion & golf have been mainstays in his life since he was a young kid.

In this episode, the lads catch up on their recent golf games before diving into the launch of Major Goat—their brand-new, season-long race across the four majors. The draft process brings drama, dodgy picks, and the chaos of the “Saffa Rule,” shaking up team strategies in unexpected ways. With the dreaded Losers Lemon on the line, every choice feels high-stakes. Tune in for laughs, banter, and a fair bit of anguish as they each try to build a team that won’t land them at the bottom of the leaderboard

Part 2: Courses 10 - 1 Join TBag, JDV, Swan, and Ryan as they break down the recently published Top 40 list of 9-hole courses in South Africa. From the dramatic landscapes of the Drakensberg to the arid beauty of the Northern Cape, this list is a celebration of golf in the country's most unexpected and charming small-town settings. 9-hole courses often fly under the radar, but they are packed with character, history, and unique challenges. Whether you're a golf purist or just love a road trip through the countryside, this episode is a smorgasbord of hidden gems and must-visit tracks.

Part 1: Courses 40 - 11 Join TBag, JDV, Swan, and Ryan as they break down the recently published Top 40 list of 9-hole courses in South Africa. From the dramatic landscapes of the Drakensberg to the arid beauty of the Northern Cape, this list is a celebration of golf in the country's most unexpected and charming small-town settings. 9-hole courses often fly under the radar, but they are packed with character, history, and unique challenges. Whether you're a golf purist or just love a road trip through the countryside, this episode is a smorgasbord of hidden gems and must-visit tracks.

The 2025 South African Open at Durban Country Club had it all—drama, resilience, and a worthy champion in Dylan Naidoo. We break down an unforgettable week, from the impact of the floods and how the course held up to the Stingers making their presence felt. Plus, we dive into the selection of fan golf attire seen out there, some infrastructure hot takes, and we even manage to squeeze out some golf goals from Hoff. Or de we? Tune in for all the insights, stories, and a few laughs as we close the chapter on one of SA’s most eventful tournaments.

Seasoned Sunshine Tour players Luke Jerling and Lyle Rowe give us their brief thoughts on the changes to Durban Country Club and how it will play for the SA Open.

The South African Open returns to Durban Country Club for the first time since 2010 and the course has undergone a massive renovation. JDV and T talk through the history of the course, the new burn and why this is still the most important golf course in South Africa.