Rock feeling good heading into Telecom Italia Open

I didn't play last week so I was catching up with the gossip during my practice round for the Telecom Italia Open, at Castello di Tolcinasco Golf & Country Club.

Much of the talk among the British pros this week has centered on soccer believe it or not.

You may not be too familiar with the English Premiership over in the U.S., but I suppose it's the equivalent of your NFL in terms of the national psyche.

Soccer's our national game and the title was decided this week, so most of the guys have been talking about that.

We have a few Arsenal fans on the Tour and they are delighted their team' s won the title.

Peter Baker's a Wolverhampton Wanderers fan and he was having a long chat about their prospects at the other end of the table with Paul Broadhurst.

I've been chatting to Ian Poulter, who's having his hair dyed red again for this week's event.

Apparently when he went over for the Masters they put him straight about his hair - so it had to go for that event.

I don't think I'll be doing anything along similar lines, not with my mop of hair.

The other thing the guys have been chatting about on the practise ground is last week's course.

In the main they seemed disappointed with the state of the course. It was a typical holiday course apparently and not championship standard. The money was good but the course didn't come up to the same level they reckon.

So that was a good one for me to miss.

Coaches were out in force again at the practise ground waiting for the opportunity to help tweak somebody's game.

When we go around on our practise rounds we seldom offer advice to each other on the course, though somebody might say something if you're good mates when you're hitting a bucket of balls and getting frustrated.

Somebody asked me today what is the best piece of advice given to me by a coach - and I had to admit I'm still waiting for it.

Having a swift look around the practise ground Poulter looks a good bet for this event. He's just returned to Europe after playing a few events in the States - and getting a few decent finishes. He's swinging well and looking good.

And if I say it myself I'm looking good too. I'm happy with my game at the moment and feel I'm due a few good rounds.

I was reminded this week in a conversation of a problem I had in Dubai - so I thought I'd pass on a tip. Always ensure you know what is in your bag.

I fell foul of the rules in Dubai. I was unable to finish my round on the Friday night, so went out again early Saturday to finish. But I took a different putter to that which I had on Friday.

I realised and told my partner. I didn't use it, and putted out with my pitching wedge.

But when I returned to the scorer's hut I discovered it was a two-shot penalty - and I missed the cut by one shot. That was costly.

So don't make the same mistake I did. Always know what is in your bag.

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• Belly putters' controversy is the talk of the town
• A few lessons still can't help Rock's game
• British Masters next up for pro Robert Rock
• Rock feeling good heading into Telecom Italia Open
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