The Goat Track

Episode 72: SEVEN - Hoffs things

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.

Episode 71: SEVEN - JDVs favourite courses

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.

Episode 70: Touching the Sun

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.

Episode 69: The Open Preview Chat

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.

Episode 68: Grapes & Golf – Boekenhoutskloof, The Open, and the Claret Jug Club

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

Episode 67: Golf Junkies Unite with Ben Karpinski

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.

Episode 66: A US Open 2025 Preview

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.

Episode 65: Mayhem

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.

Episode 64: PGA Champs Preview

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?

Episode 63: Muirfield Quaich and Gowrie Farm

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.