Copy rory’s posture

Tips from McIlroy’s game that might be able to help you become a better player

If there was one area in Rory McIlroy’s game that could help club players improve, then it would be his posture. This is the view of Michael Bannon, Rory’s coach since childhood.

He has such good clean lines – from the top of the head to the hips, then into the knees and down, Bannon noted of the player who won the Irish Open last Sunday.

“That’s three distinct lines that are a great structure from which to start. It’s all in his balance. You need that if you are going to use your body correctly in the swing.

“He has a good straight spine and looks very comfortable with it. Also, he holds his head quite high and doesn’t let his chin drop, like so many amateurs do.”

Bannon added that another point is that McIlroy’s hands hang nicely down in a vertical line from his shoulders.

“From the front on view, he looks very balanced with the left shoulder very slightly above the right one. It’s not over exaggerated.”

develop a better short game

Denis Pugh, coach to Italian European Tour players Francesco and Edoardo Molinari, points out the variety of shots in McIlroy’s short game.

People always get drawn to the flair and rhythm McIlroy has in his swing, but they forget to look at another of his strongest assets, which is his imagination around the green, says Pugh. This isn’t a one-dimensional skill because, like Seve (Ballesteros), he can play just about every shot with every club.

“You’ll see him keep the wrists firm and bump low, checking shots and then bring his hands into play with soft, high flop shots.”

It’s important to commit to the shot

Mark Roe, a renowned short game teacher, says McIlroy’s secret is his commitment to speed.

“That’s what club golfers should take notice of when they watch Rory play,” he says. “He never backs off, such is his confidence and the speed of his swing equally matches either side of the ball.

“Many amateurs decelerate or quit on the shot and that’s a recipe for disaster. You have to commit to the shot.”