I just noticed a secret power move in Rory McIlroy’s golf swing

You may have heard about a golf swing “trigger” is. Lots of golfers have them. Jack Nicklaus had his signature head turn. Lee Trevino had a kick-in move to start his swing. And it turns out Rory has one, too.

It’s quite subtle — which is why I never really noticed it until yesterday — but look closely and it’s there.

It was an astute observation made by one of my Twitter followers, Neal Doyle, and he’s absolutely right: Watch the video Rory just shared, and you’ll see that as he starts his swing, his left knee straightens slightly. 

Here it is in slow motion.

I went back and checked some of Rory’s old swings and turns out it’s been there all this time, which is interesting, because that kind of left-knee trigger has becoming increasingly common among the distance-chasing tour players nowadays. You can see 2020 Bryson using a similar move below.

What’s the point, you may ask? Simple: As World Long Drive Champ Kyle Berkshire explains to Phil  Mickelson here, the move is about creating momentum.

1. Push into the ground with your lead leg

First, you push into the ground with your lead leg, flexing in slightly, as if you were squishing something on the ground..

2. Push out of the ground with your front leg

Next, you push out of the ground, like you’re lifting your foot off the ground, which is why your leg straightens.

This two-step move basically propels your weight onto your back foot, which allows you to transfer your weight more, which helps you hit it longer, which is probably why Rory started doing. Give it a try yourself.

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