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Here we have a nice fixed camera shot of Rory striking an iron on a long par 3, and lo and behold there goes his head dropping copious amounts. Of course, I have always argued that this is a totally natural, athletic and powerful movement causes by the pivot, but you still hear knuckleheads talk about “dipping” being detrimental to the swing. What amazes me the most is how Rory has been spared the ridiculous criticism that was constantly leveled at Tiger Woods for doing the exact same thing. If you go through the best players of today and of the past you will find way more head droppers than not, and you will also find that the amount and the timing with which the head drops is unique to each player. Hogan was a “down and down” swinger (as was Tiger), while McIlroy is more of a “level to way down” player, much like Byron Nelson and Gary Player. The fact is that effective right leg loading and the deepening of the hips produces this drop, and about the only player I can think of right now who doesn’t exhibit this is Jason Day, who sets up with his knees extremely bent and pretty much stays at the same height during his entire swing, something I believe is incredibly difficult to do (proven by the fact that no one else does it). Jack Nicklaus actually raised up from address in the later stages of his career (mid to- late 80’s and during his Senior Tour years), but if you look at his younger (and more powerful) swings he definitely loaded into the ground and showed head lowering.
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