MY OTHER LOVE

BEST FOOT

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Maps Maponyane, who started as a footballer and has since developed into a steady golfer, says that the latter game teaches him focus, the ability to cope with surprises and deal with challenges​​​​​​​ 

BY GRANT SHUB 

Masego 'Maps' Maponyane, who has a diverse portfolio as a model, television presenter, actor and fashion designer, hails from rich sporting lineage. His father, Marks, played for both Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and turned out for Bafana Bafana from 1992 to 1995.


Maps, who was a talented footballer in his own right, is a steadfast Orlando Pirates supporter, mostly due to the fact that he was two years old when his dad crossed the Soweto divide. He began playing football from the age of three and first swung a golf club as a teen. After tearing a knee ligament, Maponyane tried his hand at golf two months into his recovery to regain his sharpness.


At the time, he headed to the driving range in the south of Johannesburg with a friend and managed to play three holes. 'The nice thing about golf, which has carried me through to this day, is that even when you are injured there is always something that you can do,' says Maponyane from his Johannesburg home. 'I fell in love with the game and wanted to keep getting better at it.'

'I like being able to see the massive gap between how us amateurs think golf should be played versus how the pros actually do it'

Maponyane went through a long period after high school when he didn't play golf. Ironically, it was Covid-19 which proved the catalyst to reigniting his passion for the game.


'The bug bit all over again and now you will struggle to get me off the course,' he says with a smile. 'I usually play twice a week, but if my schedule doesn't allow it and I'm not consistent, the game can be humbling.'


Maponyane says that golf teaches him focus, the ability to cope with surprises, and how to navigate challenging circumstances. 'Like anything in life, you have to put in the time and effort if you want the desired results,' adds Maponyane, who's playing off a 4.5 index.


Maponyane notes that the course can prove dangerous, underlined by golf balls to the body from other people's errant shots.


While less precarious, the golf days with his father are always entertaining. Maponyane Senior loves using the same club – his trusty 3-wood – to get around the greens.

'If the hole is 400m my dad will tee off with his 3-wood, and, even if it's 100m, he'll still make a plan to use the same club. He's a really fun golfer to watch and can be very entertaining.'


Maps' mother, Sylvia, is the real family golfer and won the NTT-Data Ladies Pro-Am with her partner at Fancourt in 2025. She has a solid game and has done incredibly well since getting into the game.


'My mom plays more than anyone else in our family and I wish I could have her consistency,' says Maponyane, who cherishes having his mother as his mixed doubles partner at club knock-outs and being able to push each other.


Maps has played in a host of Pro-Am events himself and loves to see how the professionals do it.


'I like being able to see the massive gap between how us amateurs think golf should be played versus how the pros actually do it. I take note of their consistency and prowess which shows the difference in putting in those daily reps.'

Maponyane recently got to play with Joaquin Niemann and Sebastian Munoz in the LIV Golf Pro-Am held at Steyn City in March. 'To see their technique and ball-striking ability was other-worldly,' says Maponyane, who finds himself wearing a number of different hats in a business sense.


The 36-year-old makes the most of golf to rub shoulders with key stakeholders and grow his network.


Maponyane, who is a member of Royal Johannesburg and often plays at Steyn City, notes that his short game is stronger than his long game. 'My Qi4D driver can now and again let me down,' says the man, who is a huge TaylorMade fan and has their clubs throughout his bag. 'One thing that keeps me in it is always my short game. It counts for a lot when you know you will be able to get the ball up and down because you know your chipping and putting is solid.'

In terms of a memorable golfing moment, his first hole-in-one came on the 15th at Parkview Golf Club in 2023. 'I was playing a really solid round and was one under par. I turned to my mate and said: "I've always dreamed of getting a hole-in-one on this hole." I took my 9-iron and struck it 2m past the hole. It bounced once almost to the fringe, and started spinning back down the hill for what felt like nine seconds.


'We were shouting: "Get in the hole! Get in the hole!" A nearby four-ball also joined in with our chants. The hole-in-one feeling is so hard to describe and we lost our minds when the ball dropped in. I have only managed once since and I keep chasing that high.'

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