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!
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39:52
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39:52
Bringing the Good News to the Golf Nation with Pete Hiskey
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 TopicsHow Pete Hiskey found his calling to reach the golf worldThe multi-generational Hiskey legacy in professional golfHow Links Players connects faith and community at local clubsThe history and impact of the PGA Tour ChapelWhat it means to live out the Great Commission in your own “nation”The vision behind The Saltire House in St. AndrewsMentorship and investing in the next generationFinding purpose and adventure in life’s second seasonBringing faith to the fairways—how golf connects people and GodResourcesLinks Players: https://linksplayers.comThe Saltire House: https://www.thesaltirehouse.orgTimestamps(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 LevelsLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
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51:21
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51:21
The Greenbrier’s Justin Beard on Raising a Junior Golfer
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!
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57:02
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57:02
Live from the HOPE Classic at the Federal Club
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 AwayHow golf strengthens family connections and friendshipsPatience and humility as lessons the game teaches on every roundHow to embrace unexpected moments and enjoy the game without pressureThe lasting community impact of events like the HOPE Golf ClassicResources & LinksLearn more about Hope Church and the HOPE Golf Classic at hopechurchrva.comSubscribe to Links for Life for more inspiring golf conversationsTimestamps (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 NunnLove the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share!
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56:45
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56:45
Life Lessons, Self-Awareness and the Unique Experience of Golf with David Dwight
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!
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
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