Links for Life

If you want to lower your scores quickly, putting is the fastest way to do it.Most golfers lose strokes on the green for one simple reason, they don’t have a clear plan. In this video, we walk through 5 simple strategies you can start using immediately to reduce 3 putts, improve your distance control, and become a more confident putter.If you can control your speed and eliminate wasted strokes on the green, your scores will drop fast.0:00 Intro0:22 Strategy #1: Minimize 3 Putts1:14 Strategy #2: Know When to Putt Aggressive or Conservative3:21 Strategy #3: Favor the High Side4:15 Strategy #4: Make Every Putt a Straight Putt5:35 Strategy #5: Calibrate Your Speed Pre-Round6:49 Final ThoughtsLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

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

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 sports03:03 From MLB pitching to golf and ministry05:53 Competing in the Pro Rivals Open09:12 Finding purpose beyond winning12:04 Faith and family as the foundation18:05 Forgiveness and overcoming adversity24:02 The illusion of success in professional sports30:02 Life lessons revealed through golf39:12 The Refresh Box and conversations on the course44:00 Identity beyond performance49:03 Links Players55:04 Golf tips, mindset, and faith in actionLinks Players - https://linksplayers.comLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! http://tommythompson.org

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.Timestamps0:00 Intro16:14 Introducing the four-box performance framework20:16 Overview of Think, Play, Memory, Refresh26:34 The Think Box46:35 The Play Box1:05:40 The Memory Box1:16:11 The Refresh Box1:23:55 Applying the four boxes to daily lifeTakeawaysThere’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.ResourcesBe a Player by Pia Nilsson & Lynn MarriottVision54 Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

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.TakeawaysChampions 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!

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 TopicsGolf should be a fun experience for kids, not a source of pressureParents serve best as “guardrails,” not drill sergeantsWinning doesn’t define a young golfer’s worthConfidence and humility can coexistEncouragement is more effective than criticismPatience and perspective are essential in youth sportsThe journey is about experiences, not just resultsGolf can strengthen family relationships and create lifelong memoriesTimestamps0:00 Introduction4:05 The Ryder Cup Experience with His Son8:55 Justin’s Journey in Golf14:34 The Importance of Humility and Confidence17:49 The Role of Parents in Junior Golf22:44 Coaching, Confidence, and Character28:15 Parenting as Guardrails31:26 Encouragement Over Pressure35:20 Lessons from a Summer of Competition38:44 The ROI of Golf and Family Time43:44 Introducing Kids to Golf the Right Way50:10 Keeping Golf Fun and Creative for Kids54:00 Final Reflections and Key TakeawaysLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

In this episode Tommy sits down with David Dwight to talk about golf as more than a pastime. Together they explore how the game reveals what’s happening inside us (our mindset, emotions, and even our character). Whether you’re battling a big number on the scorecard, walking the Old Course at St. Andrews, or teeing it up with three generations of family, this episode shows how golf can deepen self-awareness and joy while pointing to something bigger than the game itself.Key themes you’ll hear:Why golf demands both mental and emotional disciplineHow ego and expectations impact performance and enjoymentThe surprising ways golf exposes character and fosters growthTranscendent moments on the course (from Scotland to Pebble Beach)How golf strengthens relationships and bridges generationsTimestamps:(0:00) The Unique Experience of Golf(2:52) The Relationship Between Golf and Emotions(6:05) The Mental Game of Golf(9:05) Self-Awareness and Golf(12:00) The Intersection of Mental and Emotional Challenges(14:58) Ego and Honest Assessment in Golf(17:50) The Role of Self-Control in Golf(21:04) Enjoyment and Improvement Through Self-Awareness(30:42) The Dual Nature of Self-Awareness(31:12) Golf as a Source of Enjoyment(35:47) Expectations vs. Reality in Golf(37:59) Identity Beyond Golf(39:05) Distortions and Perceptions in Golf(41:51) Character Development Through Golf(44:24) The Challenge and Transcendence of Golf(51:29) The Unique Nature of Golf as a Family GameLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!