The Goat Track

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. Meanwhile, Hoff is making headlines of his own, though not on the scorecard. He’s back to his old retail habits, and we find out exactly what new "game-changing" gear he’s convinced will save his season.

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 picture: what this success means for the future of South African golf. To wrap it up, we get expert perspectives from legendary broadcaster OG Molefe, LIV Golf’s Jake Jones, and sports media guru Ben Karpinski.

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 Stellenbosch sparks a larger debate: What actually makes a "Good" SA Open? Is it purely about the difficulty of the rough and the speed of the greens, or is it about the "Sense of Place"? We pitch our definitive 7-course rotation for the SA Open. We look for tracks that balance architectural integrity, spectator logistics, and that specific South African soul—from the salt-sprayed turf of the coast to the rugged bushveld corridors.

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 your 12-handicap safe, or has it been "migrated" into a 24? JDV then hits us up with a tale where the bad guys might NOT be the shouting group trying to play thru. Finally, we try to lighten the mood. We close out with a SA Golf Course Quiz that starts with high hopes and ends in absolute shambles.

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!

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... It’s rugby chat with just enough chaos to keep you honest. Tune in.

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, and more than one bold prediction. To wrap it up, the lads get personal with their own rugby highlights from years gone by.

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 up the 2025 Major Goat comp. And because we love a good idea almost as much as a bad one, we announce our first-ever Goat Track event: The Mashters — a 9-hole social gathering in KZN.

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 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.

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, 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.