Links for Life
Tommy Thompson
Tommy Thompson
Golf is a microcosm of life. In the short hours we spend on the links, each shot challenges our focus and tests our emotions. When hitting that small, dimpled ball, we strive to stay present and to trust. Golf offers us the opportunity to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. How often in casual conversations about the game have we heard someone say, "Golf is just like life!" And yet, we frequently miss the lessons that golf affords. Through golf, we learn to wrangle destructive emotions. We learn to stay present in the moment, letting go of the past and resisting the allure of projecting into an unknown future. In a round of golf, we have unrushed time to enjoy our favorite relationships with fewer distractions than everyday life. Golf is beautiful and challenging. Golf is play, and hard work. Golf shows us who we are and teaches us how to become better versions of ourselves. This is the "why" of Links for Life, a show that explores the intersection of golf, growth, and God. Tune in for inspiring and empowering episodes that explore the beauty of golf and how it can teach us to improve our daily lives. Join your host, Tommy Thompson, to discuss relationships, mindset, faith, leadership, and, at the same time, how to improve your golf game. In Links for Life, find out how the game of golf parallels the challenges you face along your journey, offering incredible mental strategies for personal growth while at the same time learning from the masters how to lower your handicap. Learn how to focus on the present, let go of past negativity, and free yourself of anxieties about the future. Get tips on overcoming nerves, improving your chipping and putting, and having more fun along the way. Tommy sits down with golfers at all levels who openly share their life experiences and how they use the game of golf in their everyday lives. Gather practical advice and inspiration from their stories to transform your life. Let their personal experiences and learned lessons guide you in elevating your beliefs, spirituality, and perspectives. Of course, golf isn't just about self-improvement. It also teaches you how to connect with others on a deeper level. Through these conversations, discover how this sport can help you build better relationships in all areas of your life. Find out how to create lasting connections with the people around you. Learn how to cultivate and appreciate relationships with the most important people in your life, helping you become a better spouse, parent, sibling, or friend. Your host, Tommy Thompson, has been a golfer for over five decades. He knows the game inside out and fully understands how it brings people together on a much deeper level. Beyond that, Tommy is also a professional life coach and business entrepreneur who has mentored countless executives and leaders, helping them achieve balance, fulfillment, and more significant impact. He also has a seminary degree and is the author of Space to Breathe Again: Hope for the Overloaded and Overwhelmed. Tommy is host of the sibling podcast Space for Life. Tommy's journey stands at the intersection of golf, personal growth, and a vital relationship with God, making him the best person to lead these thought-provoking conversations. Join Tommy in improving your scores, dissecting the intricacies of golf, and exploring its limitless links with human life. Listen to Links For Life at linksforlife.golf
3d ago
Former Major League Baseball pitcher Jose Alvarez joins Links for Life to reflect on his journey from pitching for the Atlanta Braves to competing in elite events like the Pro Rivals Open and serving in golf ministry through Links Players International. After a 16 year professional baseball career, including multiple seasons in the MLB, Jose shares what success taught him and what it couldn’t, exploring identity beyond performance, the pursuit of lasting fulfillment, and how faith ultimately reshaped his sense of purpose. Through stories from professional sports, competitive golf, and decades of mentoring athletes, this conversation highlights how golf became a powerful avenue for meaningful relationships, spiritual growth, and life changing conversations on and off the course. Chapters 00:00 The pursuit of happiness in sports 03:03 From MLB pitching to golf and ministry 05:53 Competing in the Pro Rivals Open 09:12 Finding purpose beyond winning 12:04 Faith and family as the foundation 18:05 Forgiveness and overcoming adversity 24:02 The illusion of success in professional sports 30:02 Life lessons revealed through golf 39:12 The Refresh Box and conversations on the course 44:00 Identity beyond performance 49:03 Links Players 55:04 Golf tips, mindset, and faith in action Links Players - https://linksplayers.com Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org
Dec 11
In this episode, Tommy and Joe walk through a wide range of golf games—both team-based and solo—that make golf more fun while also sharpening your skills. From classics like Nassau, Wolf, Skins and Bingo Bango Bongo to creative solo formats like forward-tee rounds, back-tee rounds and reverse scrambles , these games help sharpen strategy, create pressure, practice smarter, and bring creativity back to the course. They also explore how mixing up formats reveals weaknesses, builds confidence, and keeps golf fresh and enjoyable. Whether you're playing with friends or testing yourself alone, these games give you structure, focus, and a way to practice the mental game in real time. (0:00) Intro (3:15) Golf Games Glossary (11:53) The Benefit of Golf Games (13:33) Nassau (18:24) Wolf (26:19) Skins (28:29) Bingo Bango Bongo (34:13) 3 Sixes (36:10) Getting Creative with Formats (39:09) Solo Games (40:00) Playing from the Forward Tees (45:09) Playing from the Back Tees (47:11) Self-Scramble / Best Ball (52:29) Reverse Scramble (54:53) Final Thoughts Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Dec 2
In this episode of Links for Life , Tommy and Joe break down one of the simplest but most powerful frameworks for playing better golf: the four-box cycle of Think , Play , Memory , and Refresh . Adapted from the book Be a Player by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott (Vision54), the framework turns every shot into a repeatable rhythm that helps golfers manage emotions, make smarter decisions, and execute with clarity. Tommy explains how each “box” creates structure around the chaos of a golf round. Joe shares how the model is helping him eliminate overthinking and separate decisions from execution. Together, they highlight how this cycle not only improves performance on the course — it also maps beautifully onto rhythms of daily life. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 16:14 Introducing the four-box performance framework 20:16 Overview of Think, Play, Memory, Refresh 26:34 The Think Box 46:35 The Play Box 1:05:40 The Memory Box 1:16:11 The Refresh Box 1:23:55 Applying the four boxes to daily life Takeaways There’s genius in this framework — it simplifies everything. Each box is its own action, helping you avoid blending thinking and execution. The cycle repeats every shot, giving you a clean reset. The Memory Box keeps you from dragging emotions into the next shot. The Refresh Box is where rhythm, joy, and presence return. This same cycle maps onto daily life: plan, act, reflect, rest. Resources Be a Player by Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott Vision54 Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Nov 18
In this episode of Links for Life , Tommy and Joe unpack one of the most surprising realities in golf: most golfers never actually get better . Handicaps stay the same for years, even decades — not because people aren’t trying, but because most golfers don’t know how to practice in ways that lead to real improvement. This episode dives deep into the art of practicing well . Tommy and Joe explore why so much effort gets wasted, what effective practice actually looks like, and how intention, experimentation, and honest self-assessment can transform both your game and your enjoyment of it. They break down practical strategies for range sessions, short game work, overcoming weaknesses, and building an off-season plan that sets up a breakthrough season ahead. Whether you're new to practice or you’ve been stuck at the same scoring plateau, this episode gives you a clear, encouraging roadmap for how to finally start improving. Takeaways: Most golfers fail to improve because they practice the same habits without intention. Effective practice is purposeful , targeted , and fun enough to keep you engaged. Gamifying practice boosts focus and accelerates learning. Experimenting with ball flight and feel on the range teaches more than grinding stock shots. Short game practice is essential — yet it’s the least practiced part of the game. Honest self-assessment helps you identify what’s actually holding you back. An off-season plan turns “winter rust” into real progress. Balancing strengths and weaknesses keeps practice structured and sustainable. Improvement comes from rhythm, reflection, and the courage to face what’s sabotaging your game. Better practice in golf mirrors better practice in life — clarity and intention matter everywhere. Golf Self-Assessment List (1–10 Scale) Use this to determine where your practice should go: Putting Chipping Sand play Pitching Half wedges (40–70 yards) Irons Fairway woods / hybrids Driver Life 360–Style Reflection List (as applied to golf) Framework referenced by Tommy: Communication Finances Marriage / relationships Parenting Health Work / vocation Personal growth Emotional life Spiritual life Rhythms / rest Chapters 00:00 The Challenge of Improvement in Golf 02:42 The Importance of Effective Practice 05:48 Mindset and Intentionality in Practice 08:53 Making Practice Fun and Engaging 11:49 The Role of Intention in Practice Sessions 14:50 Experimentation and Learning on the Range 17:45 Short Game as the Key to Golf Success 28:03 Mastering the Short Game 30:50 Developing an Off-Season Plan 33:32 Self-Assessment for Improvement 38:47 Embracing Frustration in Practice 42:50 Identifying and Overcoming Sabotaging Weaknesses 47:44 Balancing Perfectionism and Progress Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Nov 4
In this episode of Links for Life , Tommy and Joe share their biggest takeaways from attending the Dominion Energy Charity Classic. Watching legends like Bernhard Langer, Ernie Els, and Freddie Jacobson up close offered a masterclass in calm focus, emotional control, and smart play. They discuss how the pros manage pressure, recover from mistakes, and approach every shot with intention—lessons that apply far beyond the course. From slowing down under pressure to keeping ego out of decision-making, this conversation explores what makes Champions Tour players so consistent and how those same habits can improve both your golf game and your everyday life. Takeaways Champions Tour players model calm confidence and emotional control. Every shot matters, but no single shot should matter too much. Slowing down helps regulate focus and performance under pressure. Physical posture and pace can calm the mind and prevent emotional spirals. The pros know when to play smart and when to take calculated risks. The same mindset that improves golf can help us navigate work and relationships. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Oct 21
In this episode of Links for Life , host Tommy Thompson sits down with Pete Hiskey , a lifelong golfer, ministry leader, and passionate advocate for connecting faith and golf. Pete shares his multi-generational story in the game, from his family’s deep ties to the PGA Tour and his 24-year career with Ping Golf, to his calling to serve what he calls his “nation” —the golfers of the world. Together, they discuss the mission of Links Players , the legacy of the PGA Tour Chapel , and Pete’s newest venture, The Saltire House in St. Andrews, Scotland—a spiritual home for golfers from around the globe. This episode is a story of purpose and calling, showing how one man’s love for golf became a way to live out faith, mentorship, and community across the world. Key Topics How Pete Hiskey found his calling to reach the golf world The multi-generational Hiskey legacy in professional golf How Links Players connects faith and community at local clubs The history and impact of the PGA Tour Chapel What it means to live out the Great Commission in your own “nation” The vision behind The Saltire House in St. Andrews Mentorship and investing in the next generation Finding purpose and adventure in life’s second season Bringing faith to the fairways—how golf connects people and God Resources Links Players: https://linksplayers.com The Saltire House: https://www.thesaltirehouse.org Timestamps (0:00) Intro (10:32) Links Players and Community Building in Golf (15:41) The PGA Tour Chapel and Its Legacy (21:55) Defining Purpose and Mission in Golf and Life (26:11) Connecting Golf and Faith (29:57) Living Out the Great Commission (32:03) Embracing Life’s Second Season (36:13) Mentoring the Next Generation (36:58) The Saltire House: A New Venture (45:08) Golf Tips for All Levels Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Oct 14
In this episode of Links for Life , Tommy sits down with golf professional Justin Beard , Director of Golf at The Greenbrier Sporting Club, to talk about raising a junior golfer and keeping the game fun along the way. Justin shares his journey in golf, his experience parenting a talented junior player, and the lessons he’s learned about confidence, humility, and perspective. Together, they explore how parents can create a healthy, pressure-free environment that helps kids enjoy the game for life. From balancing competition and fun to knowing when to step back as a parent, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and heartfelt stories for anyone navigating youth sports or simply looking to make golf a more meaningful family experience. Key Topics Golf should be a fun experience for kids, not a source of pressure Parents serve best as “guardrails,” not drill sergeants Winning doesn’t define a young golfer’s worth Confidence and humility can coexist Encouragement is more effective than criticism Patience and perspective are essential in youth sports The journey is about experiences, not just results Golf can strengthen family relationships and create lifelong memories Timestamps 0:00 Introduction 4:05 The Ryder Cup Experience with His Son 8:55 Justin’s Journey in Golf 14:34 The Importance of Humility and Confidence 17:49 The Role of Parents in Junior Golf 22:44 Coaching, Confidence, and Character 28:15 Parenting as Guardrails 31:26 Encouragement Over Pressure 35:20 Lessons from a Summer of Competition 38:44 The ROI of Golf and Family Time 43:44 Introducing Kids to Golf the Right Way 50:10 Keeping Golf Fun and Creative for Kids 54:00 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Sep 30
This special Links for Life episode captures the energy of the HOPE Golf Classic at the Federal Club in Virginia. Host Tommy Thompson and co-host Pete Bowell welcome players and friends including Stuart Holt, John Atkinson, Steven McCarthy, Parker Thompson, and Isaac Nunn for memorable stories and reflections on golf and life. From miraculous chip-ins to hilarious mis-hits, listeners will hear how patience, humility, and joy on the course carry into everyday life. What You’ll Take Away How golf strengthens family connections and friendships Patience and humility as lessons the game teaches on every round How to embrace unexpected moments and enjoy the game without pressure The lasting community impact of events like the HOPE Golf Classic Resources & Links Learn more about Hope Church and the HOPE Golf Classic at hopechurchrva.com Subscribe to Links for Life for more inspiring golf conversations Timestamps (chapter markers) (0:00) Intro (6:24) Guest 1: Stuart Holt (13:15) Pete & Tommy’s Favorite Golf Courses (19:40) Guest 2: John Atkinson (32:10) The Craziest Shot Tommy Has Seen (33:36) Guest 3: Steven McCarthy (41:21) Pete’s Favorite Shot and Golf Lesson (46:33) Guest 4: Parker Thompson (50:00) Guest 5: Isaac Nunn Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
