[O.B.Left]

There are some major issues I have with this idea. With an iron, the ball hits the face below the cog and since momentum must be preserved, the clubhead is deflected lower at separation than it was at impact. It has to deflect downwards thus reducing loft.

Check out this video.

I'm guessing the first one is vertical hinging and you can see it deloft during the impact interval.

JG

Yes , the collision of impact does have an effect. Some of those look like toe or heal hits which have an effect on the face rotation. Same, as you say with low hits. These sorts of things are obvious to a good golfer , he can feel 'em. These impact dynamics are maybe outside of the real issue at hand in regard to hinge action "real or perceived". I strongly assert that it is very real. The ball rolls on the face. The point of contact for horizontal tends to stay intact whereas for vertical it tends to roll up the face. Loft angle dependent of course. Slow mo film clearly shows the ball climbing the face to my eye.

Without a ball / clubhead collision, the dynamics of hinge action would be readily apparent on film or to the golfer for that matter. Add the collision and things do get obscured on film but the geometry still stands to my mind. Im not a scientist but I do see the effect in my own shot making, thats my proof so to speak.

The ball compresses, rebounds, climbs the face all in a fraction of a second. Its amazingly brief but why discount what the clubface is doing during that time? There are two players, after all. Its not just the ball on its own doing all that, its an interaction.