Links for Life

Tommy Thompson
  • 5.0 (1)
  • GOLF
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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

  1. 1D AGO

    PGA Tour Winner Robert Wrenn on Playing Better Under Pressure

    Pressure is something every golfer faces, but learning how to handle it is what separates average rounds from your best ones. In this episode of Links for Life, Tommy sits down with Robert Wrenn, former PGA Tour winner and 1987 Buick Open champion, to talk honestly about what pressure really is and how to play better when it shows up. Drawing from 16 years on the PGA Tour, Robert explains why pressure is largely self-imposed, how elite players think differently in high-stakes moments, and why preparation, commitment, and reflection matter more than talent alone. The conversation moves through course management, visualization, breathing, and post-round reflection, while also connecting golf pressure to life, leadership, and growth. This episode is practical, grounded, and focused on repeatable habits that help golfers perform closer to their potential when it matters most. (0:00) Intro (3:30) Pressure Is Self-Imposed (5:21) Mindset Under Pressure (15:14) Game Planning and Process (23:56) Visualization and Commitment (27:30) Reflection and Improvement (36:39) Embracing Pressure (59:27) Final Thoughts Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

    1h 2m

  2. FEB 3

    Ego, Identity, and Why Golf Exposes What We Believe About Ourselves with Joel Suggs

    In this episode of Links for Life, Tommy is joined again by Joel Suggs for a deep conversation on ego, pride, identity, and humility. Together, they explore how the words we use, the identities we claim, and the expectations we carry quietly shape our experience on the golf course and in life. This episode isn’t about swing mechanics. It’s about learning to accept facts, release false identities, and find freedom from ego driven frustration. (0:00) Introduction and episode overview (0:36) Humility and golf (1:06) Ego and pride in the game (2:31) Pride, insecurity, and self image (5:09) Ego vs pride and why language matters (8:32) Personal experiences with ego on the course (12:10) Identity and performance (16:27) Self perception and pressure (20:56) Philosophy of ego and identity (30:00) Humility and accepting facts (40:15) Language shapes belief (50:02) Practical tools for managing ego (55:26) Final thoughts and closing wisdom Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

    1 hr

  3. JAN 27

    How Do You Pursue Growth Without Letting Expectations Ruin the Joy of Playing

    How do you pursue improvement in golf without letting expectations steal the joy of playing? In this episode of Links for Life, Joe and Tommy explore the tension between wanting to grow and actually enjoying the game. They unpack the difference between goals and expectations, process and outcome, and how pressure slowly replaces joy when performance becomes the focus. A powerful conversation on learning how to grow without losing the love of the game. (0:00) Growth vs enjoyment  (3:00) How goals shape the round   (5:52) Process vs outcome   (9:12) Trusting the process   (11:56) Finding joy in improvement   (14:55) Practice vs performance   (17:49) Defining success beyond score   (20:55) Staying engaged in the round   (23:52) Finishing strong   (26:55) Setting better goals   Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

    34 min

  4. JAN 20

    How Do You Play Smart Golf While Growing Your Game

    How do you play a smart round of golf while still pushing your game forward? In this episode of Links for Life, host Tommy Thompson reflects on a frustrating short-game moment and the question it raised, how do you accept the game you have today while still building the game you want? The conversation explores the tension every golfer feels, playing safe to protect your score versus taking intentional risks that help you grow. Through personal stories and practical examples, Tommy walks through why improvement doesn’t come from hero shots or playing scared, but from thoughtful practice, honest self-assessment, and taking small, intentional steps forward. What This Episode CoversPlaying the game you have while building the game you wantWhen playing smart helps and when it holds you backWhy range confidence doesn’t always show up on the courseLearning from bad shots instead of getting stuck in frustrationThe difference between reckless risk and purposeful growthHow to practice with intention and bring it onto the course Key TakeawaysYou can’t grow your game if you never try new shots on the coursePlaying smart all the time can quietly cap your ceilingImprovement happens in small, intentional stepsPractice builds skill, but course reps build trustBad shots aren’t failures if they teach you somethingFocus on one area of improvement at a time Timestamps (0:00) Introduction to Golf Improvement (2:08) The Challenge of Finesse Shots (5:41) Understanding Limits in Golf (9:44) The Game You Have vs. The Game You Want (22:37) Building the Game You Want (36:23) Practical Takeaways for Golfers A Simple Way to Apply ThisPick one part of your game you want to improve this season. Practice it intentionally, then look for low-risk moments to try it on the course. Expect some frustration, learn from it, and keep moving forward. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

    42 min

  5. JAN 13

    The Top Lessons We Can Learn From Watching Pros

    In this episode of Links for Life, the hosts explore what golfers can learn by simply paying attention to professional golfers and how those lessons translate far beyond the scorecard. From unrushed routines to emotional control and focused decision making, the conversation highlights how the best players approach the game with intention, discipline, and self awareness. Rather than copying swings, the episode invites listeners to observe how pros think, prepare, and respond under pressure, then apply those principles to both golf and life. Key TakeawaysObserving professional golfers reveals habits that matter more than mechanicsTaking your time creates better focus and calmer decisionsUnrushed routines lead to freedom, not restrictionEmotional control is a skill that can be practicedGiving full attention to one shot at a time changes outcomesPlaying your own game leads to greater confidence and enjoymentDiscipline and consistency create space to perform freelyIntegrating heart, mind, and body improves both golf and lifeSmall adjustments in focus can produce meaningful improvement (0:00) Observing the Pros and What They Actually Teach Us (10:16) Why Taking Your Time Changes Everything (20:54) Unrushed Focus and the Rhythm of Rest (28:08) Discipline and the Freedom of Routine (35:23) Managing Emotions Like the Pros (47:54) Giving Each Shot the Attention It Deserves (59:18) Playing Your Own Game and Embracing Individuality Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

    1h 15m

  6. JAN 6

    3x LPGA Champion Maggie Will on the Cost of Pursuing Excellence

    In this episode of Links for Life, host Tommy Thompson sits down with Maggie Will, a three time LPGA Tour winner, to talk about what excellence actually costs in golf and in life. Maggie shares her story of discovering golf at a young age, committing to the discipline required to reach the highest level, and learning how excellence evolves across different seasons. The conversation explores the difference between excellence and perfectionism, why self discipline matters more than external pressure, and how gratitude fuels passion over the long haul. This episode goes far beyond golf technique. It is a thoughtful conversation about growth, leadership, coaching, and choosing to live with intention in whatever arena matters most to you. Key TopicsThe cost of pursuing excellenceExcellence versus perfectionismDiscipline and self disciplineDoing the extra over the ordinaryGratitude as a source of motivationCoaching and inspiring growth in othersPracticing under real conditionsSustaining excellence through changing seasons (0:00) Intro and Maggie’s Story (8:59) The Cost of Pursuing Excellence (17:51) Excellence Versus Perfectionism (26:51) Discipline and Doing the Extra (39:13) Coaching and Motivating Others (50:05) Sustaining Excellence Over Time (1:00:00) Practical Golf Advice for Improvement

    1h 10m

  7. 12/30/2025

    First Tee Jitters, Managing Nerves, and Playing Through Pressure

    First tee jitters are a shared experience for golfers at every level, yet many players don’t understand why they happen or how to handle them. In this episode of Links for Life, Tommy Thompson and Joe Wise explore the reality of first tee nerves, why they show up even in casual rounds, and why trying to eliminate them often makes things worse. Through personal stories—from casual rounds to tournament play—Tommy explains that nerves aren’t something to overcome, but something to play through. He introduces a simple framework centered on acknowledging nerves, slowing the body through intentional breathing, and giving extra attention to the think box before stepping into a normal, unchanged pre-shot routine. The episode emphasizes that managing nerves is about regulating the body, not overthinking the shot, and that first tee shots can actually become some of the best shots of the day when approached with clarity and consistency. Key TakeawaysFirst tee jitters happen to everyone, from beginners to experienced tournament playersNerves often come from caring, wanting to do well, or trying to impress othersTrying to fight or eliminate nerves usually makes them strongerAcknowledging nerves helps reduce their powerThe goal is not to remove nerves, but to learn how to play through themThe think box is where extra time should be spent preparing the body, not overthinking the shotSlowing your breathing helps calm tension, regulate tempo, and improve focusOnce you enter the play box, your pre-shot routine should stay exactly the sameRushing to “get it over with” often leads to poor first tee shotsWith proper preparation, first tee shots can be some of the most focused and solid shots of the round 00:00 First Tee Jitters and Why They Happen 02:59 Personal First Tee Stories and Early Golf Experiences 05:50 The Psychology Behind Nerves and Performance 09:12 Learning to Play Through Pressure 12:07 Why You Shouldn’t Fight Nerves 14:53 Breathing Techniques to Calm the Body 17:51 The Think Box and Pre-Shot Preparation 20:50 Why First Tee Shots Can Be Your Best Shots 28:02 Final Thoughts on Managing Nerves and Letting It Fly Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

    31 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    Jose Alvarez on Pitching for the Atlanta Braves, the Pro Rivals Open, and Finding Purpose Through Faith

    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. Chapters00:00 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

    1h 6m
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About

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

Information

  • Channel
    Tommy Thompson
  • Creator
    Tommy Thompson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 | All Rights Reserved |
  • Show Website
    Links for Life

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