As long as the ball touches the ground before he picks it up it's okay.
What happens though if after picking it up he smashes a long punt directly into the opponents goal? Is that considered scoring directly from the drop ball?
You cannot score direct from a drop ball.Why not? Where's it say that? It's in play when it touches the ground
LOTG p32 said:If the ball enters the goal:
• if a dropped ball is kicked directly into the opponents’ goal, a goal kick is awarded
• if a dropped ball is kicked directly into the team’s own goal, a corner kick is awarded to the opposing team.