I was golfing in Puerto Rico, but now I’m on an adventure. Follow me on Instagram while I am gone.
Breaking 90: Lessons Learned
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Breaking 90: Lessons Learned is part of the TPOL to LIV PGA Trip Report (read the Introduction Inspiration).
Saturday, I had my best round of golf. I shot a 93 from the blues.
The score on the back 9 proves that breaking 90 is not difficult to do. I shot a 42 with many correctable errors. The problem is that my LIV dreams are on hold until I finish this trip (see How to Book the Best Itinerary: AA, Avios, Aeroplan, Miles & Smiles, Flying Blue, LifeMiles, Capital One). So I don’t come back and start from zero, I am documenting the lessons I have learned:
- Tempo is everything: The 4 iron takes a long time to go back. Don’t rush the process. Recall your 4 iron shot on the 16th hole.
- Turn your wrist: The hinge on the backswing should be complemented by the turning of the wrist on your downswing. This allows the ball to release.
- Flare your feet: Hack squat stance is better than knees and feet pointed in.
- Listen for the sweet sound: There is an unmistakable sweet sound when the ball is hit correctly. Don’t convince yourself that a pretty shot that doesn’t have that sound is the right shot. That is fool’s gold AKA the scoop shot. The scoop shot easy to spot – it’s when the ball sails nicely into the air, on target, but then comes up short.
- Short game: Hands forward, weight forward, ball in the back of the stance. Take a small divot, and finish forward without applying a death grip at the point of contact. This allows the ball to release.
I am still working on optimizing my training schedule. For now, I have this:
- Tuesday: 9 holes with Dewizz electric shock watch (yet to do).
- Wednesday: Hitting net at night with MLM2Pro Launch Monitor.
- Thursday: Chipping and putting on the practice green.
TPOL’s Tip: When using the hitting net at night, do not jam using the Infiniti radio.
Don’t Come to Puerto Rico (To Party)
Is Covid back (see The Lost & Found Year(s): COVID Trip)? Based on another stupid regulation in Puerto Rico, you would think that it was. Before I tell you about that, how about some posts of irrational rules implemented by the government to ‘protect’ the local people during the pandemic:
On Monday, Gov. Wanda Vázquez assumed even more sweeping powers, signing an amendment to the Public Security law that makes breaking the curfew — or future curfews — punishable with six months in jail and/or a $5,000 fine. In addition, it makes it illegal for media outlets or social media accounts “to transmit or allow the transmission” of “false information with the intention of creating confusion, panic, or public hysteria, with regards to any proclamation or executive order declaring an emergency, disaster or curfew.” If the false information causes more than $10,000 in damage to public-sector finances or leads to injury or damage of physical property, it will be considered a fourth-degree criminal offense, the governor’s office said.
Luís Davila-Colón, a prominent radio host and author, accused the governor of drifting into authoritarianism. He said, “You cannot govern through dictatorial decrees, scolding, secrets, muzzling, blockades or threatening to imprison your subjects,” he wrote on Twitter.
2. PSA: Surfing in Puerto Rico Is Illegal
Leif Engstrom, a Redbull athlete, was arrested in Rincon for what I can only describe as attempting to surf. Per the article, the charge was “surfing,” but Leif said the following: I wasn’t even in the water yet. I was walking. My hair was dry.
3. Golf Is Back in PR: Safe to Share Tees?
Golf was also banned during Covid.
4. Back on Lockdown in Puerto Rico
PR had a convenient policy to open for asshole tourists (see Infected Tourists Are Coming to Puerto Rico), collecting their money, then putting the island on lockdown, citing an uptick in numbers. Como se dice, ‘money grab?’
5. No Alcohol Sales on the Weekend, No Golf on Sunday: Another Stupid Lockdown Measure
In its latest attempt to curb the spread of Covid, the island of Puerto Rico has come up with its most asinine plan yet. It includes closing the pool at my villa for the next month, despite no one using it in general. It includes no alcohol sales on the weekend, both at stores and at restaurants, which is a great idea for killing small businesses. And it includes a stay at home order for Sundays. The beaches are already closed, though you would not know it from the onslaught of tourists (see Frontier Airlines: The Covid Super Spreader for Puerto Rico ).
6. Another Useless Puerto Rico Lockdown
Starting Friday the new curfew will be 10PM to 5AM, and all businesses will close at 9PM. The governor cites the uptick in COVID cases for instituting this measure. This pointless measure is another example of how the government has no clue how to handle the pandemic, despite dealing with it for over a year.
The schizophrenic strategy for dealing with COVID has taken its toll on my mental health. With the vaccination rollout going smoothly, I thought that life was finally going to get back to normal. Instead, we are going in the wrong direction and with no plausible explanation for why we are doing so. Exactly one year ago, I warned about the dangers of government overstepping civil liberties under the guise of protecting the interest of its people. We have been on lockdown since March of 2020. This crackdown is not justified. It’s time to sound the alarm on this abuse of power.
7. No More Masks in Puerto Rico
The measure isn’t effective immediately. There’s a chance for a super spreader event this 4th of July. COVID knows this which is why pragmatic progress can’t begin until July 5th.
8. Covid Test to Enter Puerto Rico: Another Asinine Policy
As of December 27th, 2021, all passengers arriving on domestic flights are required to show a negative test result taken within 48 hours before arrival time, regardless of vaccination status. Passengers arriving without a test will have 48 hours to take one upon arrival or be subject to a fine.
Three Years Later
More than three years after the pandemic began, Puerto Rico is still a shell of itself. Restaurants that used to close at midnight, close at 8 PM. My favorite BBQ spot, El Verde, still doesn’t let customers sit at the bar. And, despite scientific proof of the limited efficacy of masks, a significant amount of the population insists on wearing them. Some still do so in their car while riding alone.
In less than three years, Puerto Rico went from a party (see Where to Party Old San Juan: Best, Worst, Oldest, Grossest), carefree island to a rules-based, paranoid society.
This brings me to the latest regulation. Seizing on the feeble resistance to Covid measures, the mayor of San Juan is cracking down on alcohol sales (Hard-partying Puerto Rico capital faces new code that will limit alcohol sales).
“San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero on Tuesday signed a new measure to prohibit alcohol sales after certain hours, saying he was “morally convinced” it was the right thing to do. Under the new code, businesses in San Juan can only serve or sell alcohol from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and up to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday if Monday is a holiday.”
Like Covid restrictions which were targeted at residents, the restrictions on the sale of alcohol will not apply to hotels that are exempt from the measure. Like Covid restrictions, the policy may be amended every 6 months.
TPOL’s Take
Morally convinced? What does that mean? So, I can be hammered and belligerent so long as I do it by 1AM Monday thru Thursday? On Friday, I can extend my belligerence by an hour. And of course, if there’s a holiday on Monday, the moral police won’t mind if I stay out too late on Sunday. Morality as the basis for law should make everyone uncomfortable.
Who does this hurt? Local bars and businesses will be killed by this measure, just as they were during Covid. Why can the Marriott bar stay open all hours but my local bar has to close? This hardly seems like a coincidence.
Every 6 months:
Authoritarian Mayor: If you behave, dear children, we may let you stay out an hour later.
Population: Yes, dear leader.
Overall
Rights were taken away during Covid. This became the new normal. What’s next? No dancing? I wouldn’t rule that out.
How to Book the Best Itinerary: AA, Avios, Aeroplan, Miles & Smiles, Flying Blue, LifeMiles, Capital One
How to Book the Best Itinerary is part of the Still The Best Trip Report.
I have been traveling on points since 2012 (see Angle Flat Lufthansa: My First Points Flight Review). I have consistently put together one insane itinerary after another (see The $77,000 Trip Heard Round the World & 25,000 Mile RTW Trip Including Iraq Booked!). Yet, somehow, I have failed to convince friends and family that all trips are possible if the points, not price, are right.
I now write these posts so I can celebrate my greatness. However, just in case someone else is reading, here is how I put together this stellar itinerary.
- San Juan to Tenerife: This was an easy booking. I transferred points from Amex to my Iberia Avios account with a 30% bonus. I searched SJU-TCI (see Not My Fault: Tenerife Airport, North Or South?).
- Tenerif to Cabo Verde: There were no convenient price/points options here. I used my Capital One Venture X to find the cheapest, most direct deal (see Can You Tell Me How to Get to Cabo Verde?).
- Cabo Verde to Nice, France: This was another easy booking. I again took advantage of the 30% bonus by transferring points from my Amex to British Avios account.
- Corsica to Paris, France: I wasn’t too upset about paying $227 to go to Corsica, but there was no way I was going to pay $459 to go from Corica to Paris. Luckily, I found availability on Air France using my FlyingBlue account. Once again, I will be flying coach on Air France (Flying Blu, Literally Depressed: DTW-CDG Air France in Coach).
- Paris, France to Pristina, Kosovo: The cheapest option was to use LifeMiles which are as abundant in the world as Avios. The search was simple: CDG-PRN.
- Pristina, Kosovo to Bodrum, Turkey: This is a great example of how having multiple points currencies pay off. Turkish Airlines is part of Star Alliance. Hypothetically, I could book this flight using United miles, LifeMiles or Aeroplan miles. In this case, the best, cheapest option was to transfer Citi ThankYou point to my Turkish Miles & Smiles account. At 11,300 points, this was by far the best way to get to the Turkish Riviera.
- Bodrum, Turkey to Bahrain by way of Kuwait City: There is a nonstop flight from Bodrum to Bahrain. Since I needed to add another country to my list (see 126 Countries Left, If I Go), I am taking the scenic route to Bahrain, stopping in Kuwait City for 8 hours. This time, the best deal was on Aeroplan. Instead of paying $2,025, I paid 20k points and $80.
- Bahrain to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: To get to my final stop, Riyadh, I used Aeroplan points once again. 15k points and $91 is far better than $958.
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to San Juan, Puerto Rico: The best way to find long-haul points flights is to search the longest segment first then tack on the shorter segments. Typically, when I search X to Puerto Rico, I never find availability. Luck was on my side this time as I typed in RUH-SJU and found an impeccable deal of 80k AA miles and $90 on one itinerary (see AA Business Riyadh to San Juan Business: Big Deal, Small Deal, No Deal?).
257,100 points and $1,162.08 versus $26,733. You decide.
Approved! AA Citi Exec 100k
When will this game end? Never. I applied and was approved for the 100k Citi AA Executive card. This approval came right on time as I was beginning to become anxious about my AA balance after booking my flight from Saudi Arabia back to Puerto Rico for 80k points (AA Business Riyadh to San Juan Business: Big Deal, Small Deal, No Deal?) and after booking my flight from Melbourne, Australia to Bangkok, Thailand (This Is The Best Use of 40k AA Miles). AA miles continue to be valuable if used correctly.
The problem I have is that Citi only approved me with a 5k limit. How am I supposed to spend 10k in 3 months with such a lame credit line? Incidentally, I had the same issue with my Citi Premier card (see Citi’s Pointless 2k Limit Thank You, No Thank You Card).
Can You Tell Me How to Get to Cabo Verde?
How to Get to Cabo Verde is part of the Still The Best Trip Report.
When I went to Sanya, China, I met a bartender from Cabo Verde. Since then, I have always wanted to go there. Like Sanya, Cabo Verde is overlooked as a beach and party destination, except for those in the know (see Sanya! Where to Party Guide ). Like Sanya, getting there for cheap can be challenging for those who aren’t in the know (see Cathay Dragon Coach: Hong Kong to Sanya & Cathay Dragon: Sanya to Hong Kong). Leaving from Tenerife South, not North (see Not My Fault: Tenerife Airport, North Or South?), I came across some absurd prices.
The routing was equally as terrible. The following is something I would expect flying in the Caribbean from San Juan (see Puerto Rico to Jamaica: Oh No, Not Spirit! Wait, Why Am I Connecting through Panama?).
Fortunately, matrix.itasoftware.com showed me a better way:
Instead of flying, 2,588 miles, I only have to fly 982. Instead of paying $1,445, I am only paying $134. (The retail price is $434 but I saved $300 thanks to my $300 in travel credits from my Capital One Venture X (see Keep vs. Cancel (Proactive Edition): Capital One Venture X.)) Most importantly, the journey will only take 4 hours and 25 minutes.
Where will I go after Cabo Verde? I am trying to figure that out right now.
AA Business Riyadh to San Juan Business: Big Deal, Small Deal, No Deal?
AA Riyadh San Juan is part of Still The Best Trip Report.
I am putting together another great TPOL itinerary. Right now I know that I am going to Tenerife South (see Not My Fault: Tenerife Airport, North Or South?). And as part of the TPOL to LIV PGA Trip Report, I may go to Saudi Arabia. In search of a flight back, I found what I thought to be a great deal:
- Riyadh to Doha in coach
- Doha to JFK business
- JFK-MIA first
- MIA-SJU business
All of this was for 80k AA points and $90.
Excited, I put it on a courtesy hold with AA. I proceeded to Google the business class review and came across Matt’s, from Live & Let’s Fly, review. After reading it, I am not particularly excited nor am I particularly discouraged about giving it a shot.
Here’s why I want to try it:
- I have never flown long-haul AA. Indeed, the only flight review I have is a business class one from Medellin to Miami (see MDE-MIA: My First Business Class Flight on AA, Worth It*?).
- I have flown QSuites 3 times already and I am bored of it (see Flight Review MIA-DOH: Qsuites to the World Cup!).
- Any points booking where I fly door-to-door on one itinerary is preferable to having one where I have to add on a leg, in coach, to San Juan (see Southwest BWI-SJU: It’s no Qsuites But I’m Home).
- There aren’t any affordable alternatives at the moment. I don’t like waiting to finalize itineraries and following the Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report do not book open-ended itineraries (see Punxsutawney TPOL: Travel Lessons).
Here’s why I may let the hold lapse.
- The AA review was underwhelming.
- Qsuites may open up and there is a 30% transfer bonus to Avios right now.
- 67.5k AA miles used to get me first on Cathay (see Cathay First JFK-HKG: Part 1 to Vancouver & Cathay First YVR-HKG: The Next Episode). I know there’s a devaluation but 80k for AA business seems pricey. I just booked Melbourne to Bangkok in business for 40k miles (see This Is The Best Use of 40k AA Miles).
- My AA mileage is being depleted and I don’t think Citi is in the mood to approve me for another card.
Overall
The days of flying Emirates first for cheap are over (see Emirates Shower Class JFK-DXB: One More Time). The days of finding Etihad Apartments from AUH to JFK are a thing of the past (see Etihad Apartments: Emirates’ Wannabe Cousin). After an exhausting trip, all I want to do is get home with no fuss. I think this itinerary accomplishes that.
What say you?
Simply The Best: July 2023
July is done. August I travel. Now I share with you the best.
- 126 Countries Left, If I Go
How many countries are in the world? I will refer everyone to the best and most overlooked feature of my blog, the zoomable world map. - Still The Best: Canary Islands, Cabo Verde Booked!
The villa remodel has held me hostage longer than Covid. Now, I’m in the perpetual stage of ‘it’s almost done.’ Refusing to let summer pass me by, I made the wise decision to book a flight and hope that everything is done before I go. - Bus-Ted: Punxsutawney TPOL Points & Cash Summary
TPOL does it again. - Recap! Punxsutawney TPOL Trip Report
I decided that buying a second home in a different country was a prudent way to plan for the next pandemic. - Guns & Butter: Malta Travel Guide
Like Cyprus, I was not in Malta long enough. Like Cyprus, I plan on returning and doing nothing when I get there. - Scammed! Or Stupid? Spirit Takes Me for $99 (Part 1)
Me: You’re a piece of shit bleepity bleepity bleep. Have you no decency! Have you no soul! - Breaking 90: Week 0: User Error
Frustrated, I took one last crack at it. The ball sliced wide left of the net, over the road, and onto the fairway of the pitch-black River Course. Judging by this image, I have concluded that the launch monitor is, dead-on balls, accurate.
Not My Fault: Tenerife Airport, North Or South?
Tenerife Airport, North Or South is part of Still The Best Trip Report.
I should’ve been more modest with the name of this Trip Report. Less than 24 hours into trip planning and I have already made a mistake. The booking was Iberia in business from SJU–MAD–TCI for 51,000 Avios and $129. That is a great deal compared to retail price of over $11,000 (see Still The Best: Canary Islands, Cabo Verde Booked!). My joy was taken away when I found out that Tenerife has two airports: one in the north and one in the south. I, of course, booked the wrong one, the one in the north.
While I am one to admit when I make travel gaffes (see TPOL’s Travel Lessons), I’m going to make the case that I am not to blame for this one. Here’s why this isn’t my fault with the reasons ranging from weakest to strongest.
- Who would think that such a small, remote island would have multiple airports that service the same airline?
- Was it unreasonable to trust Iberia’s website? I typed ‘Tenerife’ in the destination box. One destination appeared. If I type in NYC and it says ‘all airports,’ I know there are multiple airports.
- How would I know there is a north and a south airport without independent research? On the booking page, the destination also said Tenerife. I reasonably selected the flight that arrived earliest in Tenerife.
- Unless I’m checking to see if it is QSuites, who is clicking on details for a short-haul flight? Only by clicking on the flight details would I have seen that there is a Tenerife South and a Tenerife North.
Ultimately, I changed my reservation to arrive in Tenerife South. I reasoned that arriving later in the day was better than spending over $100 to take a taxi from the north. Had I kept the original flight, it is safe to assume that I would have missed my connection anyway as 1:25 is not enough time to transit in Madrid’s terrible airport (see Connecting in Madrid? Pack Extra Time & Connecting in Madrid: Pack Extra Time Part II).
If you’re curious as to why I want to stay in the south part of the island and not the north, here’s why: Prior to booking, I knew that all the action was in the south and, per my friend, was told that the only thing to see in the north was the elderly on their mobility scooters.
Breaking 90: Week 0: User Error
Disclaimer: I may receive a commission if you click and buy a product listed.
Breaking 90, Week 0 is part of the TPOL to LIV PGA Trip Report (read the Introduction Inspiration).
Back in Puerto Rico, I have resumed my quest to go from worst to first. Last week counted as week 0 because it was spent figuring out how to put together the hitting net (The Rukket training net costs $320 and is available here). In the company’s setup video it took minutes to be ‘ready to play.. As someone who struggled putting together IKEA furniture, I knew that I would have issues with the setup.
Here’s what happened: At precisely 8 PM, I went to the grass near the tennis courts and unloaded the equipment under the bright flood lights. I began following the directions and was making incremental progress. All of a sudden I was bit by fire ants. As I was trying to scrape them off my hands and legs, the power went out in the entire community. That was followed by the sound of stray dogs howling nearby. Discombobulated, I threw all of the equipment back into my car and drove off. My first attempt was a funny failure.
On my second attempt, Puerto Rico’s fragile power stayed on and the ants kept their distance. While there wasn’t any outside interference, I still struggled to put together the net. Things weren’t locking into place and I began to wonder 1) How can I be so bad at assembly? 2) When will the power go out again so I can leave under the cover of darkness? Fortunately, Ms. TPOL saw the error in my ways and showed me what I was doing wrong. One hour later, I was ‘ready to play.’
Hitting into a net is a weird experience. I was scared of standing too close as my club would end up hitting the net. I thought I was far enough away until I used my SW to hit a ball over the net and into the tennis court. After some disappointing numbers from my stellar MLM2Pro launch monitor (on sale for $699), I was ready to go home. The next challenge was deconstructing the hitting net. Luckily, that did not take one hour to do. My second attempt was a slight success.
On my third attempt, I clocked my setup at 13 minutes. I was reassured that the hitting net was a wise purchase and that I was on my way to golf domination. The next problem I face had nothing to do with my training equipment and everything to do with my ability or lack thereof. Each time I fired away, the launch monitor would say ‘distance 80 yards.’ If this was a half-swing with my SW, perhaps I would be happy. The problem is that these were full swings with my 7-iron.
Frustrated, I took one last crack at it. The ball sliced wide left of the net, over the road, and onto the fairway of the pitch-black River Course. Judging by this image, I have concluded that the launch monitor is, dead-on balls, accurate. Third attempt = Fore!
Saturday came and I decided to play a full round. Something strange happened. With an open field and no trepidation of hitting the net with my club and no fear that the ball would ricochet back in my face, I was making great contact. It was a welcome sight. Unfortunately, I was three to four putting everything, something that never happens.
Week 0 is over.