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Published by The Goat Track
If you care about South African golf, this is your podcast. The Goat Track covers SA course reviews, the SA Top 100 rankings, club life, tour news, and sharp opinions on the game — built by golfers, for golfers, mostly from Africa. We've sat down with Golf Digest's Stuart McLean, covered LIV Golf South Africa on the ground, and debated whether your home course deserves its ranking. Weekly 30-minute episodes from July 2026. Instagram: @thegoat_track. YouTube: The Goat Track. Web: thegoattrack.co.za.
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Welcome to another enlightening episode of Goat Track, where we delve into the intricacies of golf, particularly focusing on the recent handicap app saga in South Africa. In this episode, hosts Terrence and JDV unravel the complexities surrounding golf handicaps, aiming to clarify why it matters to every golfer. Terrence and JDV kick off the discussion by revisiting a viral moment from a past episode where they highlighted the chaos surrounding the launch of the new handicap app. The app's debut not only stirred controversy but also sparked widespread debate among golfers across the country. As Terrence puts it, "the launch of this app had been a complete disaster." To set the stage, Terrence poses a crucial question: why should the average golfer care about the intricacies of the handicap app? JDV elaborates on the importance of having an official handicap, emphasizing that it levels the playing field for golfers of all skill levels. JDV clarifies the distinction between official and unofficial handicaps. He reminisces about Terrence keeping a detailed spreadsheet of his rounds, claiming a handicap of 13. The conversation shifts to the financial aspects of maintaining an official handicap. JDV mentions that golfers pay affiliation fees, a portion of which directly supports the handicap system. With approximately 145,000 registered golfers in South Africa, this amounts to a substantial yearly collection for maintaining the integrity of the system. The hosts then delve into the governance of handicaps in South Africa. JDV explains how the Royal and Ancient (RNA) and the USGA administer the global handicap network, licensing it to the South African Golf Association (SAGA). This complex structure ensures that the standardization of handicaps is maintained across the globe. Further clarifying the hierarchy, JDV describes Golf RSA as the operating arm responsible for implementing the handicap system. This body ensures that golf courses are properly rated and that all regulations are adhered to, thus safeguarding the integrity of the handicap system. As they continue to dissect the nuances of the handicap system, once you put all those pieces together, another question emerges. When does legitimate control of the handicap system become control of the commercial ecosystem built around it? And that is what we are going to look at in Part 2.
In this episode of The Goat Track, JDV and regular guest Ben head to KwaZulu-Natal to break down the winter setup at Cotswold Downs. The drier months completely change the strategy on this inland layout, as the dormant kikuyu fairways firm up and offer plenty of extra run off the tee. While the added distance is a lot of fun, it severely complicates the short game. The guys discuss the reality of playing into the course's tricky, raised greens, where the firmer conditions and severe slopes quickly expose a misjudged approach or chip. Beyond the scorecard and course management, they highlight the welcoming member culture, how to handle the continuous elevation changes, and deliver a definitive verdict on the club's mandatory halfway house curry sandwiches.
Tucky and Hoff get together to give their expert opinion on what went wrong for the Boks at Ellis Park and have a look ahead to what they need to do right at the Cape Town Stadium against the All Blacks this weekend
In this episode, we’re joined by South-African born caddie Dean Smith, who shares an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at his bond with Kiwi star Ryan Fox. Having caddied for him for over a decade, Dean opens up about the trust, the banters, and the unique Southern Hemisphere dynamic that makes their team tick on the world stage. Dean breaks down Foxys winning-mindset, what they spoke about on Saturday night, and the exact high-pressure moments down the stretch on Sunday—leading right up to that clutch 11-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to seal the Claret Jug. And of course, we couldn't let Deano leave without telling us what really went down during the legendary celebration night!
We’re stepping off the tee box and straight into test-match fever as the crew gears up for one of the most anticipated events in international sport: the return of full-blown All Blacks tours to South Africa. In this golf-adjacent episode, we put fairway talk on warm-up duty to tackle the sheer spectacle of the legendary Springboks vs. New Zealand rivalry hitting local shores. Tucky and Hoff break down what iconic experiences are still missing from their personal sporting pantheons, sharing their genuine hype for what promises to be an absolute blockbuster series. Plus, the lads debate the big question: could this old-school tour format become a permanent, once-every-four-years spectacle that rivals the British & Irish Lions or the World Cup itself?
Nothing tests the social waters of golf quite like hearing, "Mind if we join you?" In this episode, the boys dive headfirst into the unwritten rules, internal anxiety, and absolute lottery of being paired up with complete strangers on the first tee. We break down the initial 10-second assessment, discuss the unspoken golf etiquette of random groupings, and share some unforgettable stories straight from the fairway. T relays a genuinely fantastic experience where an unexpected pairing completely made the day, while JDV shares an absolutely hilarious story from a round with a random that left everyone asking "What just happened?" Whether you love making instant mates over 18 holes or secretly pray for an empty course, tune in as we cover the good, the awkward, and the downright bizarre side of playing with randoms.
The Claret Jug is on the line, and we are breaking down everything you need to know ahead of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. In this episode, we dive into the venue's rich history and trace South Africa's deep connection to these famous links, from Bobby Locke's historic battles to Branden Grace's record-breaking round of 62 back in 2017. To get the real picture of how the course is actually playing, we check in with Mike Hollick live on the ground in Southport. Mike gives us the first-hand scoop on the current links conditions, how hard and fast is it? And the brutal holes that are set to torture the scorecard this week. Finally, we run through the South African contingent teeing it up and debate how they will fare against the elements. We wrap things up by lock in our Golfchamps teams, serving up our favorite value plays and a few bold, high-differential sleepers to help you climb to the top of your pools.
T and JDV welcome South Africa’s newest DP World Tour champion, Michael Hollick, to the show! Michael takes us behind the scenes of his massive win in Germany and explains the reasoning behind his surprising decision to skip the Scottish Open. As he prepares to make his Major debut, he reflects on the long, hard-fought journey to get here. Plus, get an inside look at Royal Birkdale as Michael shares his tactical observations from the fairways and reveals what it will take to conquer the course this week.
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, Terrence shares a few stories from walking the wilderness trails in the Kruger Park, before the guys head up to the Dullstroom altitude. He close out the episode by breaking down the Ernie Els-designed Highland Gate, capped off with a truly crazy story from the 17th hole. A trip for the ages and some stories that can't be missed.
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 tech actually translate to a lower handicap, or is it just more gear for the bag? We also explore the wild concept of stadium golf taking over the iconic Kingsmead cricket ground, before wrapping up with a brutally honest look at the latest golf triumphs and tragic failures from T and JDV. Hit play for your weekly dose of course architecture talk, casual banter, and local golf realities.
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 opens up about the future of the evaluation system, the complex reasons why some clubs choose to opt out of the rankings entirely, and wraps up by sharing a few of his absolute favorite golf destinations across South Africa.
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 away from the data to discuss the courses that don't need a ranking to be special—the ones close to our hearts
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.
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 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.
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—from grabby Kikuyu rough to pure bentgrass greens—will dictate club selection. The team highlights the best holes for spectators to catch the action and provides an inside look at the "sense of place" that defines this venue. We wrap up by making our expert picks for the weekend
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.
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 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.
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 venue, sure—but is it actually the right test for a modern National Open with a Masters berth on the line? We discuss whether the course has the teeth for today's pros or if this is another "safe" choice that misses the mark? Lastly we draft teams of SA Players from different categories and see who can build the 2026 squad. Who can lock down the big guns Burmy and Aldrich?
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 19, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
Apple and Apple Podcasts are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
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