Links for Life

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 round00:00 First Tee Jitters and Why They Happen02:59 Personal First Tee Stories and Early Golf Experiences05:50 The Psychology Behind Nerves and Performance09:12 Learning to Play Through Pressure12:07 Why You Shouldn’t Fight Nerves14:53 Breathing Techniques to Calm the Body17:51 The Think Box and Pre-Shot Preparation20:50 Why First Tee Shots Can Be Your Best Shots28:02 Final Thoughts on Managing Nerves and Letting It FlyLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

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, 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 ThoughtsLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!

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 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:PuttingChippingSand playPitchingHalf wedges (40–70 yards)IronsFairway woods / hybridsDriverLife 360–Style Reflection List (as applied to golf)Framework referenced by Tommy:CommunicationFinancesMarriage / relationshipsParentingHealthWork / vocationPersonal growthEmotional lifeSpiritual lifeRhythms / restChapters00:00 The Challenge of Improvement in Golf02:42 The Importance of Effective Practice05:48 Mindset and Intentionality in Practice08:53 Making Practice Fun and Engaging11:49 The Role of Intention in Practice Sessions14:50 Experimentation and Learning on the Range17:45 Short Game as the Key to Golf Success28:03 Mastering the Short Game30:50 Developing an Off-Season Plan33:32 Self-Assessment for Improvement38:47 Embracing Frustration in Practice42:50 Identifying and Overcoming Sabotaging Weaknesses47:44 Balancing Perfectionism and ProgressLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!