No way the vertical hinge score lines point at the left shoulder socket.
What we are dealing with here is a great big 'Seems as if' -- an opticalillusion -- regarding the Clubface Scoring Lines and their alignment with theLeft Shoulder. This post will demonstrate that the Scoring Lines-Left Shoulderalignment is identical for each of the Three Hinge Actions. I willsubstitute the term 'Leading Edge' (of the Clubface) for its parallel 'ScoringLines' since they are interchangeable.
The 'Seems as if' is that at the end of the Follow-Through (Both ArmsStraight Position), the Full Roll of Horizontal Hinging causesthe Leading Edge to point along the Target Line and point 'at' the LeftShoulder. Conversely, the Reverse Roll of Vertical Hinging causesthe Leading Edge to be Square to the Target Line and point 'outside' theLeft Shoulder. Visually, that appears to be the case, and yet, as will beshown, the Leading Edge and the Left Shoulder are identically 'In Line' forboth (and for Angled Hinging as well) .
The illusion begins with the words 'point at.' First of all, let's agreethat when the Clubface is lower than the Left Shoulder, the Leading Edge cannever point 'at' it. Instead, it can only point 'below' it. Giventhat fact, we can define 'pointing at' to mean that the Leading Edge is inthe same plane as the Left Shoulder. As your original post stated, that isexactly the case with Horizontal Hinging. And despite the illusion to thecontrary, it is also exactly the case with Vertical and Angled Hinging!Here's why:
For simplicity, let's assume a Flat Left Wrist Vertical to the ground (theHorizontal Plane) at Low Point and the Clubface Square to theTarget Line. Per 7-10, this is the precision alignment for all three HingeActions. [I could have used the alternative 'Vertical to the ground at Impact'but its necessary compensating Clubface adjustment adds complexity to thediscussion and does not change the result.]
In this alignment, the outside of the Left Shoulder, the Back of the LeftArm, the Flat and Vertical Left Wrist and the Square Clubface will all bepositioned against the same flat plane -- the Plane of the Left WristcockMotion. In fact, this alignment establishes the Left Arm Flying Wedge (6-B-3-0-1),and it is maintained not only during the Hinge Action, but also throughout theStroke (from Start Up to the end of the Follow Through). This is the keyalignment, not where the Leading Edge appears to point -- but does notactually point.
From the Low Point, Horizontal Hinging causes the Leading Edge to movein a circle (1-L #9) around the Left Shoulder and Close Only (inrelation to the Target Line), just as if it were a swinging door. In fact, HorizontalHinging causes the entire Left Arm Flying Wedge -- the back of the leftArm, the Flat and Vertical Left Wrist and the Leading Edge -- to Close Only.Accordingly, at the end of our short Chip Shot, we can see that the LeadingEdge has maintained its original alignment: It points below the LeftShoulder and lies in the plane of the Left Arm Flying Wedge.
Similarly, Vertical Hinging also causes the Leading Edge to move in acircle around the Left Shoulder. However, instead of Closing Only, it LaysBack only, just as if it were a swinging door attached to the ceiling. Infact, in the same manner as Horizontal Hinging, Vertical Hinging causes the entireLeft Arm Flying Wedge -- the back of the left Arm, the Flat and VerticalLeft Wrist and the Leading Edge -- to Lay Back Only. Accordingly, at theend of our short Chip Shot, we can see that the Leading Edge has maintained itsoriginal alignment: It points below the Left Shoulder and lies in theplane of the Left Arm Flying Wedge.
So there you have it. The Clubface Leading Edge (or its parallel substitute,the Score Lines) never points at the Left Shoulder with any ofthe Three Hinge Actions. Instead, it always points below it, andit always lies in the same plane -- the plane of the Left ArmFlying Wedge -- regardless of the Hinge Action employed.
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