The Goat Track

Episode 92: Mpumalanga Madness: Kambaku Crocs, Kruger Trails, and Highland Gate

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.

Episode 91: Top 100 Heat, Hoff’s Gadgets, & Stadium Golf at Kingsmead

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.

Episode 90: How does the SA TOP 100 work?

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.

Episode 89: LIV and Our Top 100 Predictions

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

Episode 88: Another Major Saffa Fail

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.

Episode 87: Masters 2026 Preview

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.

Episode 86: LIV Golf SA Wrap!

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.

Episode 85: LIV Golf South Africa Preview

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
 

Episode 84: Our SA Open Rota Revisited

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.
 

Episode 83: Handicap App Saga and SA Open Preview

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