Q&A With Italian Golf Legend and Antognolla’s Golf Ambassador Costantino Rocca

Around this time a year ago, Italy held its first Ryder Cup, transforming its capital city, Rome, into a major golf destination for the very first time. We are proud to continue the tradition that the Ryder Cup started: maintaining and fostering Italy’s status as a place to be enjoyed not only by fans of culture, history, and cuisine, but also by golf enthusiasts.

We partnered with the Italian golf legend Costantino Rocca to inspire more Italians to pick up the sport. Costantino is famous for beating Tiger Woods in match play at the 1997 Ryder Cup, and now he is Antognolla’s Ambassador.

Already twice awarded as ‘Italy’s Best Golf Course’ (World Golf Awards 2020, 2022), Antognolla Golf is now listed as one of the 100 Leading Courses in Europe and shares first place as the top course in Italy; it was rated ‘Outstanding’ in Golfer’s Choice 2024, and received the honour of ‘Best Golf Course in Italy’ and ‘Best Maintained Golf Course in Italy’ (Leading Courses) this year. 

“What does la dolce vita mean to you, Mr Rocca?” We asked the world-renowned Italian golf legend. “Being Italian!” he said, smiling.

Coming from Bergamo, Italy, Mr Rocca and his historic swings, such as the unforgettable 60-foot birdie putt on the Old Course at St Andrews in 1995, have served as inspiration for Italy’s next generation of golfers. The forever champion will go down in golf history as the first Italian player to participate in and claim victory at the Ryder Cup for Team Europe in 1997, beating Tiger Woods in match play.

Now having retired from a dream golf career, Mr Rocca can still be found on the course whether it’s playing as Ambassador at Antognolla Golf or enjoying a break to commune with the nature he so appreciates and respects. Always smiling and approachable, Mr Rocca gave us a sneak peek into his technique and life as a golfer.

Q: What is your pre-shot routine?

A: Most of the time I wiggle [the club] – when you move the club with your hands to give it fluidity. I hardly ever move my feet.

Q: Can you tell us about your set-up?

A: The set-up is very important both for professionals and for amateurs as well. You take the position of the ball, and from there you can decide how to position yourself in relation to it and how you feel about the situation. This, I think, is what makes 40% of a successful shot.

Q: Do you concentrate on anything specific for your club takeaway?

A: When I get over the ball, I already have in mind the shot I want to make. I just think about the shot, try to feel the club by moving it in my hands, and position myself in the right place based on the game – from there, I just think about the swing. I’m mainly concentrated on the flight phase and not on the club and ball contact. After all, if your swing is good, the contact can only be good!

Q: Has distance ever been a focus in your career?

A: I wasn’t one of the short ones; I wasn’t long: distance was never a problem. If I shoot shorter than Tiger Woods, I’ll have to putt and approach better.

Q: What was the sweetest moment in your career?

A: Sweet... Let’s say that when you play well, those moments are always sweet. When you win tournaments, it’s even sweeter. I’ve lived through some wonderful experiences, and even if I haven’t always won, playing golf professionally has always given me a sweet feeling.

I’ll tell you about a bittersweet moment: the 1995 Open Championship at St Andrews. I was playing against the American golfer John Daly. I didn’t win, but the 60-foot birdie I made is one of the moments that brought me to where I am today, and I’m proud that this was a significant moment not only for me but for golf as well. Later, in 1997, I scored the winning point for the European team at the Ryder Cup against Tiger Woods. That was a moment of shared sweetness.

Q: How important is it in golf to take time to enjoy elements outside of the activity itself such as your surroundings, the company, etc.?

A: If you play golf for a living, you travel a lot but don’t have much time to wander around and discover the territory you’re in. You’re focused on your game. When you retire you have more time to explore and enjoy the fruits of your labours. You not only revisit the courses on which you played well throughout your career but also savour the attractions you missed in all those cities.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the surroundings and feel of being at Antognolla?

A: Everything. The nature, the Castle, the course, the people. These things are beautiful for me. In addition, who doesn’t enjoy eating! Umbrian cuisine is something to try no matter the season, and we’re lucky that Antognolla hosts Ristorante La Boiola.

Q: Besides hard work, what do you attribute your success to?

A: I found two people who believed in me and who managed to make me and others believe in my potential: Tom Linskey, once the Director of the Italian Golf Federation, who launched me into the world of golf, and my therapist!

Q: What is your advice to all golfers?

A: 1. Play golf! It wouldn’t exactly be correct to say that golf is relaxing, because experience tells us that this is not the case and that it’s easy to get nervous on the course. So, it is necessary to have a little patience and a cool head to stay consistent and improve.

2. Keep trying and training and strive to keep learning.

3. Golf nurtures a lot of respect for nature, yourself, and your opponents. Keep honouring and developing those traits.