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Author: Morgan Reimler Golf Instruction
Touring Professional vs Teaching Professional
Hello birdies!
Here’s an update from the desert! After moving here in the Spring to play professional golf on the Cactus Tour, I have completely fallen in love with state fourty-eight! The competition on the Cactus Tour is intense, and the experience of playing tournaments at this level is great. My next tournament is August 6-8 in Palm Springs, California. Then it’s Q School time at the end of August! (Q School is LPGA Qualifying School where you can earn your tour card).
I have been training and practicing daily for the tournaments on my schedule, as well as Qualifying School. Chasing this dream is expensive, so along with playing in events, I decided to pursue one of my other passions on the side- teaching golf! After passing the qualifying exam and taking the Player Ability Test, I am now officially a member of the PGA of America. Part of being a member of the PGA is working for a PGA recognized golf facility. I am an Assistant Golf Professional at a Club in North Scottsdale, which I love. Legend Trail Golf Club is where I practice and play, and have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people!
It can be confusing when someone says they are a golf professional, because they can be either a touring pro or a teaching pro; or in my case, both. I am a playing professional first, and a teaching professional second. A touring professionals job is to play and finish well in tournaments, whereas a teaching professionals job is to give lessons. I like to clarify that I am both, because I love both aspects of the game, but playing comes first!
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Some days you can find me playing in tournaments, and other days you can find me working at Legend Trail, or giving lessons. I have a busy schedule, but every day is an adventure and that is what I live for! This is an amazing opportunity that I have the privilege of pursuing, and I am thankful every single day that I not only get to play this game, but that I also get to grow the game and share it with others.
So if you’re in Scottsdale and you need a lesson, I’m your girl!
Until next time, birdies!
Morgan
Five Delicious Low Calorie Starbucks Drinks
The past year while I was getting my MBA, I spent more time in coffee shops than I had combined in my entire life before then. I would go there to study, and then justify all my hard work by getting myself a drink. Chai tea lattes were my favorite drink (hot or cold, I don’t discriminate) until I realized that there are close to 80 grams of carbs in a venti iced chai.
It does not matter to me if the drink is liquid gold, I can’t deal with 80 g’s of carbs coming from a drink that will most likely be gone in a minute and twenty five seconds. Long story short, over the past year I have compiled some of my very favorite low carb drinks from Starbucks. I hope if you have found yourself reading this blog you’ll get a chance to try a new drink or maybe find a healthier substitution for one you already know you like.
There are always the obvious low carb options such as the coffees, espressos and teas. If you enjoy black coffee then you probably weren’t interested in this post to start with, but if you’re looking to shake things up or find a new go-to then keep reading! So here’s the line-up and in no particular order (nutrition information based on a grande serving size):
- Coffee with two pumps of sugar free syrup (any flavor): 10 calories, 0 g carbs
- Skinny soy vanilla latte: 170 calories, 22 g carbs
- Skinny soy cinnamon dolce latte: 120 calories, 19 g carbs
- Iced coffee with coconut milk & liquid stevia: 20 calories, 2 g carbs
- Lightly sweetened iced chai with coconut milk: 150 calories, 28 g carbs
*Note: I order all of my drinks with soy milk instead of regular milk so feel free to substitute those out if milk doesn’t make you break out like it does for me. Lol. If soy isn’t your thing then go with the skim, 2%, etc.
I hope you all got some inspiration from this post, and hope that you find a new favorite!
Until next time, birdies!
In Pursuit of Excellence
If you want to be great at something, you have to practice it every single day. Athletes train and practice constantly to perfect their sport, and the mental game should be no exception. There are so many ways to train your mind and body, but for me personally, I love reading books that help me hone in on my skills that I’m trying to focus on. Reading is my favorite way to work on my mental game because it combines two of my favorite things; books and golf! I can throw a bookmark on the page that resonates with me and come back to it when I need a reminder!
There is so much emphasis on the mental aspect of golf because unlike many other sports, you have time to think between shots. You don’t have teammates out there with you, and you have to rely on yourself to be your own cheerleader. As a player, you must have the mental capacity to stay calm when you’re nervous, and to pump yourself up when you need to.
I have compiled a list of ten amazing mental game books that I have read/am currently reading. As I mentioned in one of my first blog posts, Bob Rotella is the guru of sports psychology and all of his books are incredible. However, this list includes other authors that may be harder to find.
I found all of these books at my local library, but I included links to each of these books on Amazon so that they are easy to find if you wish to have them on your own bookshelf:
1. Mastering Golf’s Mental Game by Michael T. Lardon
2. Golf for Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra
3. The Seven Personalities of Golf by Darrin Gee
4. Mistake Free Golf by Robert K. Winters
5. Golf in The Zone by Adrian Fryer & Dr. Karl Morris
6. In Pursuit of Excellence by Terry Orlick
7. Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent
8. Golf Flow by Gio Valiente
9. Head in the Game by Brandon Sneed
10. Perfectly Balanced Golf by Chuck Cook & Roger Schiffman
I hope that you guys get a chance to check out some of these incredible books. If you’re a golfer, I am positive that these will be an asset to your game. Until next time, birdies!
Keto Lemon Cheesecake
If you are a sucker for lemon like I am, this recipe is going to become a staple in your dessert rotation (do other people have dessert rotations? No? Okay.) The best part is, you don’t have to blow your diet or feel guilty to enjoy this sweet treat!
I found a recipe for lemon cheesecake that is low carb and keto friendly. If you’re wondering what keto is, this website explains it simply. The magic behind the keto diet is that your body re-programs your metabolism so that you can burn fat for fuel.
I live a low carb life, and I love food. So I am always experimenting with different recipes to find healthier variations. This recipe hits all the right notes and doesn’t break the carb bank. So many desserts leave you feeling bloated and tired because they are packed with carbohydrates and sugar. This cheesecake is such a win, and you could serve it to people who aren’t low-carbing and I’m positive they would enjoy it as well.
Keto Lemon Cheesecake
Print recipe
| Serves | 8 |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 8 minutes |
| Total time | 28 minutes |
| Dietary | Diabetic |
| Meal type | Dessert |
| Occasion | Casual Party |
| Website | motherthyme.com |
This delicious cheesecake is carb friendly and easy to make. Low calorie and low carb fits the keto diet perfectly.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup almond flour
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon erythritol
- 8oz softened cream cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- .3oz sugar free lemon jello
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Directions
| CRUST | |
| Step 1 | Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a spring form or baking pan with butter or cooking spray. |
| Step 2 | Combine almond flour, butter, and erythritol until crumbly. Press into the springform pan and bake for 8-10 minutes. |
| Step 3 | Let the crust cool completely to room temperature. |
| FILLING | |
| Step 4 | With the whisk attachment on the mixer, whip the cream cheese until it is smooth. |
| Step 5 | Add in heavy cream and whisk on high until soft peaks form. |
| Step 6 | Reduce mixing speed and add jello packet, lemon juice, and lemon zest. |
| Step 7 | Spread the filling over the cooled crust and chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. The longer it can chill, the more the flavors marry. |
I used a Pinterest recipe from Mother Thyme as a starting point and made some minor tweaks to the original that I think really knocked this out of the park.
Don’t be afraid to add things, or make substitutions to your recipes. Be brave and bold, especially where flavor is concerned! Life is too short to eat mediocre lemon cheesecake. I hope you all enjoy this recipe and I can’t wait to share the next one with you!
Until next time, birdies!
Cactus Tour Schedule 2018
2018 Schedule
Event Venue / Start Time
Event Dates / Days of The Week
#01 Sun City CC – 7:00
Sun City, AZ Jan. 08-10
M-T-W
#02 Wigwam Heritage/Red – 11:00
Litchfield Park, AZ Jan. 15-17
M-T-W
#03 Jon Slichter Memorial
Tres Rios – 8:00
Goodyear, AZ Jan. 29-31
M-T-W
I will be updating my schedule as the season unfolds. If you’d like to follow along and see how I’m doing, click here to see day-by-day tournament results! Wish me luck!
Golf Specific Warmup
Hello birdies! I’ve put together a couple of videos that are great for golfers, but also for anyone wanting to work on strengthening back and shoulders. My physical therapist gave me these workouts to do three times a week, and I have noticed a difference in my mobility when I am playing golf since starting these workouts!
Add these workouts into your routine a few times a week and I guarantee you’ll notice a difference, and all you need is a band! You can do these exercises from home, or from anywhere.
This first video is a quick clip from the overhead band exercise. Grab a band and complete this exercise ten times, for two sets.
This next clip is from the horizontal band exercise that you should also complete in two sets of ten. Both of these exercises are to be slow and controlled, and it also helps to have old school Ozzy playing in the back to really pump you up!
I hope you get a chance to try these workouts, I know they have truly helped me! You can find these bands at Wal-Mart, and they are super cheap. If you’re looking for a bomb workout playlist, I love picking an old school station, but pick anything that makes you happy! You can download Apple Music here and choose from thousands of songs and playlists, or Pandora here which is free. (Holla!) Enjoy your workout birdies!
Five Ways to Practice Mindfulness Throughout the Day
*This post has Amazon Affiliate links in it
“Mindfulness is the practice of finding the realm before and after words take place. Cultivating the ability to live completely in the present, deeply aware and appreciative of life.”
-Gary Goch What Book? Buddha Poems
Mindfulness and meditation can be an overwhelmingly peaceful combination. The act of mindfulness is something I have been working on since I was introduced to the practice by my aunt. She took me to a dharma class, and I have been hooked since then! It can be difficult to silence my thoughts because like most of you, I have roughly one thousand ideas running through my brain at any given time, but with practice it has become easier.
Being mindful is something I like to practice every day, to help me both on the golf course and just in life. Learning to breathe, and calm your thoughts can be so beneficial for tasks that require patience. Learning to accept the feelings you have at any particular moment, and then letting them go without holding onto them is a very freeing practice that will change the way you think about things, and what you focus your energy on.
For example, if I hit a bad shot in a tournament, I can be disappointed and categorize that shot in my head as one that I will practice more in the future, and then move on. I will not hold on to that shot and let it discourage me. The same applies to life, where there will be bad breaks or people that are hard to deal with, but you accept the feelings you have and then let them go. Working on mindfulness can be so peaceful, and you don’t need expensive gear or a lot of time to practice throughout the day.
It can be difficult to devote time to practicing mindfulness each day, so I put together a small list of five ways to practice being mindful throughout the day:
Five Ways to Practice Mindfulness Throughout the Day
1. Turn basic everyday tasks into a practice session. When you’re making your bed in the morning, or making your coffee, use that small amount of time to practice being mindful. Focus on your breathing, how you feel at that moment, what sounds you hear, etc. Something as simple as this can be a great way to start your morning.
2. Give five minutes of your undivided attention to something. Whether it’s a book you are reading, or again, you just want to focus on your breathing, simply give all of your attention to that thought for just a few minutes. This will help you focus better and be more conscious about what you give your thoughts to.
3. Take a walk outside and just enjoy what the world has to offer. Notice the sounds and the weather, the people, and everything around you. Appreciate being there in that moment without thinking about the past or future.
4. Find beauty in the simple things. Appreciate the sunrise or the sunset, or how a book can make you feel, or the way your tea smells, etc. There is beauty everywhere if you are looking for it.
5. Mindful eating. Be mindful when you eat, focusing on nourishing your body and feeding it wholesome nutrients that will give you energy for the day. Appreciate the flavors and techniques that were used to create the food.
Any of these sugestions can help bring awareness to the present moment, and help you appreciate what life has to offer. These tips are easy to practice in small increments, and over time can help you become more mindful in all aspects of your life.
‘Til next time, birdies!
Mama’s Protein Balls
You know when you find a winning recipe and you’re so excited you want to share it with the whole world? I am about to share with you all the yummiest recipe for protein balls. My grandma found a basic recipe watching a morning show, and my mom took the recipe and ran with it. There are tons of recipes for protein balls out there, but if you have the time and ingredients, I absolutely recommend these because they will change your life.
These protein balls are full of nutritious ingredients that keep you full and energized. My mom has been perfecting this recipe for years, and it is safe to say that these can be eaten at any time, and for any meal. My family has been enjoying these sweet little treats for a while now, and I cannot wait for you to try them!
The most important step in every recipe is getting everything prepped and ready. The french term mise en place translates into “everything in its place”. This means you have read through the recipe, gotten your equipment out, have all of your ingredients measured, chopped, etc. and that you are ready to start. It’s even more fun if all your ingredients are prepped into cute fiestaware bowls.
After everything is prepped, you read the recipe one more time for good measure! There is nothing more flustering than getting half way through a recipe and realizing that you missed a step. I thought this would be a good recipe to start with because you do not have to have any culinary expertise to make these!
Mama’s Protein Balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Servings: 30 balls
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup finely ground flax seed
1/8 cup of chia seeds
1 Tbsp pepitas
1/2 cup unsweetened* coconut flakes
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup chocolate chips (60% cacao bittersweet chips are delish!)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup of peanut butter
After you have all your ingredients measured and prepped, the beauty of this recipe is that you just throw it all in the mixer (with the paddle attachment) or just mix it by hand!
Or something more like this…
The ingredients in this recipe such as chia seeds and flax seeds have some stellar health benefits. Chia seeds are rich in omega 3 fatty acids which are great for your heart! I read that “chia” means strength in Ancient Mayan, and that they used to eat handfuls of chia seeds before battle. That is also my pre-battle meal, small world. Chia seeds are also a good source of fiber, iron, and calcium! Flax seeds are also high in fiber and low in carbs, which can be helpful when you need a little mid day snack.
After you have mixed all the ingredients, I use a cookie dough scoop to make sure all the balls are consistent and round!
Try to get them in the fridge after they have all been scooped so they can harden in their form, otherwise they will get crumbly! Keep them refrigerated, or freeze them for later!
These protein balls are such a treat for breakfast, or a snack, or even for lunch. They are full of flavor and full of ingredients that are great for you. There are so many different ingredients you can add to this recipe (a pinch of salt is always a good idea), but it takes some trial and error to find the right consistency so that they stick together and don’t crumble. Feel free to take the recipe and run with it, just like my mama!
‘Til next time birdies!
Get Out of Your Own Way
“Courage is a necessary quality in all champions, but an athlete cannot be courageous without first being afraid.”
-Dr. Bob Rotella
Since my senior year of high school, I have been religiously studying the audio tapes of Dr. Bob Rotella. Known as one of the most prominent and successful sports psychologists to ever exist, he has shared his wisdom and experience on how significant your thoughts can be when performing. He has coached some of the worlds most successful athletes, and preaches that you can train your mind to become better than you are, no matter where you’re at in life.
If there is one thing I have learned from Dr. Rotella, and from my experience as a human, it is to get out of your own way. The biggest battle I have always had on the golf course has been in my head. I am discovering how to welcome my nerves and trust that I have practiced enough to hit the shot I want, rather than letting my nerves control my swing. Understanding Dr. Rotella’s tapes in a new way is the beauty of wanting to get better!
The key is to be so unequivocally focused on your target that you leave no room for negative thoughts. If you have trained and practiced, then let the nerves create momentum for you, but do not let them deter you from giving your best swing. Whether it’s on the golf course, at work, or any aspect of your life, get out of your own way and go for it! Go at it with everything you’ve got. What’s the fun in doing anything half way?
‘Til next time, birdies