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.

• Playing the game you have while building the game you want
• When playing smart helps and when it holds you back
• Why range confidence doesn’t always show up on the course
• Learning from bad shots instead of getting stuck in frustration
• The difference between reckless risk and purposeful growth
• How to practice with intention and bring it onto the course

• You can’t grow your game if you never try new shots on the course
• Playing smart all the time can quietly cap your ceiling
• Improvement happens in small, intentional steps
• Practice builds skill, but course reps build trust
• Bad shots aren’t failures if they teach you something
• Focus 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

Pick 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.

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