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Constantino Rocca
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Born 1956 in Bergamo, Italy
Rocca started as a caddie, winning the Italian Caddie Championship in 1978, and turned professional in 1981 at the age of 24. Despite virtually no success in his first decade, whereby he struggled to retain his tour card, the Italian finally broke through in 1990, gaining his card for the first time without needing the qualifying school.
The driver swing of Rocca is a natural flowing movement. He finishes the swing a little early according to today's stars, although he struggled with back problems in the latter part of his career.
Swing using an iron.
1) Tall address position with muscles alert and "ready."
2) Upper arms gently touch the torso. Feet are "splayed" out.
1) Rocca`s backswing is wide rather than high.
2) His spine is tilted slightly to the right resulting from the width focus.
3) The right knee is used to resist any real body sway, the hips are fairly restricted as he keeps his left foot flat on the floor.
The contact of Rocca in this set of 1997 photographs has all the elements of a great ball striker. Both of the feet are down but active. His left wrist is "bowed" outwards and the left arm holds firm through contact. His face is slightly turned to the right as his body rapidly turns towards the target.
Constantin Rocca`s finish demonstrates an economical finish. The footwork is exemplary as he shows poise and balance throughout.
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Baldovino Dassù
Born in Florence on the 3 November 1952
Dassù was a regular competitor on The European Tour in the 1970s and 1980s and winner of two Tour titles in his banner season in 1976 (Photo from 1976 Italian Open win).
He won the 1970 British Youths Championship and played for Italy in that year's Eisenhower Trophy. In 1971 he turned professional and was a regular on the European Tour from its first official season in 1972 until the mid-1980s.
Dassù`s swing was conforming and had a nice emphasis on the high-follow through at the end. Bernard Cooke called it the maypole finish, significant in this case, as Dassù was a pupil of his.
(Photo).
Dassù extends arms beyond contact; showing no signs of 'give' in the arm-shoulder-triangle framework. The left forearm is gently 'winding' counterclockwise and produces a soft draw in the ball flight.
More recently Dassù has taken his hand to architecture and has played a part in some of the most beautiful courses in Italy.
