Rory’s Driving Power: A GEARS Golf Breakdown

/ Dennis Sales Golf Academy/

Rory McIlroy is widely recognized as one of the greatest drivers of the golf ball in modern golf. While most conversations focus on his speed and rhythm, very few talk about the biomechanics behind his launch power—specifically his lateral tilt and center of mass (COM) movement.

At Dennis Sales Golf Academy, we use GEARS Golf 3D motion capture to decode elite movements like Rory’s and apply them in a trainable way for players of all levels. Let’s break it down.

The “Upper Body Launch Pad” Explained

In the first GEARS video, you’ll see Rory demonstrate a key move: a pronounced lateral tilt of the torso during transition. This move positions the upper body into what we call the launch pad—an athletic, loaded position that allows the arms to fire through impact with both speed and efficiency.

This tilting action:

  • Preserves spine angle

  • Shifts pressure into the trail side during early transition

  • Sets up a shallow, in-to-out club path

  • Allows for better timing and sequencing from P4 through impact


This GEARS Golf 3D motion capture breakdown highlights one of Rory McIlroy’s biggest driving secrets—how he uses lateral tilt and center of mass movement to create what we call the “upper body launch pad.” Watch this data-driven look at the key moves behind Rory’s explosive power and learn how to start training them in your own swing.

Center of Mass: The Silent Contributor

The second GEARS video showcases how Rory’s center of mass shifts dynamically throughout the swing:

  • Shifts laterally in the backswing

  • Centers over lead leg in transition

  • Stabilizes through impact

This fluid movement supports the launch pad and adds vertical and rotational forces that power up his drives. These forces are measurable, repeatable, and trainable using the right tools—and that’s where our tech-based instruction shines.

n this GEARS Golf clip, we track how Rory McIlroy’s center of mass shifts throughout the swing to support his powerful launch pad position. This movement is a crucial piece in generating the vertical and rotational forces that lead to his signature high, long drives. Learn how mastering COM movement can transform your own swing efficiency.

GEARS Golf 3D data reveals Rory’s upper body launch pad—key to driving power.

Train It Yourself: The “Rory Keys” Two-Part Drill

As shown in the image right, Rory’s launch pad setup is built on a blend of lateral tilt and dynamic center of mass movement. If you're interested in replicating Rory's power moves, we’ve created a simple two-part drill to help you feel and train these movements in your own swing:

✅ Part 1: Train lateral tilt
✅ Part 2: Coordinate COM shift through the swing

Want the drill video?
Here’s how to get it:

  1. Follow @DennisSalesGolfAcademy on Instagram

  2. Comment “Rory keys” on the Rory post

  3. We’ll send the video directly to your inbox

Why GEARS Golf Matters

Using GEARS Golf at our facility in Argyle, TX, we can:

  • Analyze every joint and body segment in your swing in 3D

  • Track how your COM moves

  • Compare your motion to tour players like Rory

  • Build a personalized development plan

This isn’t guesswork. It’s tour-level data that produces real results.

Train Like the Pros at Dennis Sales Golf Academy

At our indoor facility in Argyle, Texas, we’re not just showing you video. We’re helping golfers of all levels—from juniors to AJGA competitors to adult players—understand and train what elite movement actually looks and feels like.

We use:

  • GEARS Golf 3D motion capture

  • TrackMan for ball and club data

  • SAM PuttLab for putting performance

  • Platform Golf for indoor putting and speed control

  • And a 45-foot indoor putting green for real-world distance control

Final Thoughts

Rory’s power isn’t just natural talent—it’s built on elite movement patterns that can be learned. If you’re serious about improving your swing, understanding how your body moves is the first step.

Book a GEARS Golf swing assessment today at Dennis Sales Golf Academy in Argyle, TX, and start training with a data-driven plan.