I will not say drops don't work. But, ergonomically speaking, on a standard frame, large drops are a mess. They almost always add extra strain. This is not to say that some cannot compensate, or that in certains setups they don't work (90 degree, etc.). Certain people can make due with less than ideal situations, and do so quite well. Some people can defy convention with impossibly stellar results, at times. Just look at Babe Ruth. The name synonymous with baseball looked like a train wreck compared to most of today's pharmecuetically enhanced players, and even many of his contemporaries. Yet, with his sometimes sub-optimal mechanics, and shabby physique, he performed feats that many can never dream of matching. Most players who are as stiff and obese as Ruth was are typically poor players, but note the caveats. Furthermore, one might speculate that he could have been even more, had he kept in shape, and refined his natural style futher. Here, note speculation - there is no proof. However, there is plenty of evidence that certain routines, styles, and forms will yeild the best results from the highest percentage of people. Sometimes they even go against INITIAL personal preference.
Anyhow, it seems that a lot of people become used to bad haibts and sub-optimal styles (especially if they see a pro do it, and force themselves to adopt it). And, while some people do actually do better with these methods, most don't. They can get by, but there usually comes a time when they plateau prematurely. Said player, having taken some time to practice without a drop, may very well find that his playing will improve drastically. It may feel awkward, it may even feel wrong. But, personal preference isn't always "right." Again, to protect myself, I am not saying this is always the case. Read on.
Another example, with which I am quite familiar as a musician, is playing technique, and posture, particularly with the guitar, where it is quite debated. Certain players do quite well with terrible posture, and technique. One might say that if it works for them, it isn't terrible. Well, perhaps, but as a whole, the average player would be doing themselves a disservice by adopting these techniques. They put undue strain on joints, and tendons, and utilize muscles that most people will never be able to condition properly, and which are far less efficient then others. In fact, while some people finds these techniques to feel fine, even good, at first, they can often cause serious medical problems over the long run.
Here is a typical scenario (one that I see too often) - you have a kid who thinks he is doing the right thing by picking up a certain technique that some speed-picker was using, or becuase it felt easier because it used shortcuts, and after time he learns to use it quite well. In fact, he finds that more standard techniques seem awkward (due to his conditioning to the other technique). However, he finds that in the long run, he has to practice a little harder, and seems to see less results. He hits the proverbial brick wall, and hits it hard. So, you suggest to him a more conventional technique. He tries, and it takes a while to pick up. In fact, he thinks he progressing even slower. Actually, he may be, as some of the "bad" techniques utilize shortcuts that get you to a certain point quickly, but which lack the fundamentals to take you all the way. Anyhow, later you play a tape of him from before, and after, and boom, it hits him. His playing before was stiff, mechanical, and just plain average, whereas now, he is playing not only well, but with feel, and adaptability. Often, he find he is playing also with more speed, and less fatigue. This is not a hypothetical - it is something real. Sometimes, SOMETIMES, you will find a someone who does better with the odd technique, and for some reason compensates enough that he doesn't get the muscle injuries.
The point of all of this is that sometimes personal preference IS wrong, because sometimes it has been developed for the wrong reasons. Sometimes things that feel better at first are actually sub-optimal (such as with the shortcut picking techniques). Sometimes a little extra work goes a long way.
Again, I don't want to take sides. I am sure there are plenty of people who do better with a drop. But, there are also many of you seem to refuse the possiblity that perhaps you got into a bad habit, and perhaps, as well as you do with a drop, you may actaully do better without one. Of course, there are some people I know who refuse to change, simply because they are too embarassed to admit that they were incorrect. In any case, if you win with a drop, then keep using it. But, do not refuse that it may be possible that you could do better without. I can not enumerate the times that I have done someting one way, only to switch later and find that I was so much better off for having done so.
Anyhow, it seems that a lot of people become used to bad haibts and sub-optimal styles (especially if they see a pro do it, and force themselves to adopt it). And, while some people do actually do better with these methods, most don't. They can get by, but there usually comes a time when they plateau prematurely. Said player, having taken some time to practice without a drop, may very well find that his playing will improve drastically. It may feel awkward, it may even feel wrong. But, personal preference isn't always "right." Again, to protect myself, I am not saying this is always the case. Read on.
Another example, with which I am quite familiar as a musician, is playing technique, and posture, particularly with the guitar, where it is quite debated. Certain players do quite well with terrible posture, and technique. One might say that if it works for them, it isn't terrible. Well, perhaps, but as a whole, the average player would be doing themselves a disservice by adopting these techniques. They put undue strain on joints, and tendons, and utilize muscles that most people will never be able to condition properly, and which are far less efficient then others. In fact, while some people finds these techniques to feel fine, even good, at first, they can often cause serious medical problems over the long run.
Here is a typical scenario (one that I see too often) - you have a kid who thinks he is doing the right thing by picking up a certain technique that some speed-picker was using, or becuase it felt easier because it used shortcuts, and after time he learns to use it quite well. In fact, he finds that more standard techniques seem awkward (due to his conditioning to the other technique). However, he finds that in the long run, he has to practice a little harder, and seems to see less results. He hits the proverbial brick wall, and hits it hard. So, you suggest to him a more conventional technique. He tries, and it takes a while to pick up. In fact, he thinks he progressing even slower. Actually, he may be, as some of the "bad" techniques utilize shortcuts that get you to a certain point quickly, but which lack the fundamentals to take you all the way. Anyhow, later you play a tape of him from before, and after, and boom, it hits him. His playing before was stiff, mechanical, and just plain average, whereas now, he is playing not only well, but with feel, and adaptability. Often, he find he is playing also with more speed, and less fatigue. This is not a hypothetical - it is something real. Sometimes, SOMETIMES, you will find a someone who does better with the odd technique, and for some reason compensates enough that he doesn't get the muscle injuries.
The point of all of this is that sometimes personal preference IS wrong, because sometimes it has been developed for the wrong reasons. Sometimes things that feel better at first are actually sub-optimal (such as with the shortcut picking techniques). Sometimes a little extra work goes a long way.
Again, I don't want to take sides. I am sure there are plenty of people who do better with a drop. But, there are also many of you seem to refuse the possiblity that perhaps you got into a bad habit, and perhaps, as well as you do with a drop, you may actaully do better without one. Of course, there are some people I know who refuse to change, simply because they are too embarassed to admit that they were incorrect. In any case, if you win with a drop, then keep using it. But, do not refuse that it may be possible that you could do better without. I can not enumerate the times that I have done someting one way, only to switch later and find that I was so much better off for having done so.
Overall the drop has created a small and compact setup. Much to the misery of opponents. Now if I could build the skill with my low compact profile then that statement would be true. 
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