[BerntR]

If you do both well it probably won't make too much of a difference. But I believe the two differs in their most typical less-than-perfect ball striking. After reading chapter 2 a few years ago and really understanding the issue of ball compression, and reflekting upon the typical weak spots on my long game I converted to a swinger. Don't know whether I was a swinger or a "switter" before but there certainly was more drive loading, compression leak and a figting with clubhead throwavay involved. It truly was a high-maintainance stroke pattern. Of course since I converted to TGM the stroke is solid at all times.

Swinging is more geared towards pivot driven loading action and automatic release. And horizontal hinging. All of these will support more reliable distance on full shots. With an automatic trigger etc it can be almost like an on/off button and you get very similar distance each time. But the other side of the coin is that it can be more difficult to take off a few yards in a controlled manner. And to control direction.

Hitting to me means less distance reliability on full strokes. But better direction control. Hitting is less automatic and in many ways more manually controllable than swinging in this regard. That makes it just easier to take off a few yards when it is called for. If you master the stroke. Something I don't consistently do on the total motion.

You can have some of the hitting "advantages" in the swinging stroke too - and you should if you aim for swinging. It is related to extensior action and proper application of pp#1 and pp# 3 pressure (right hand pressure) at the right times. Powered by the pivot and fine-tuned by the hands.

Whether hitting or swinging I find that right side participation is very important to achieve any finesse and shot making ability in the game. And absolutely vital for distance and trajectory control in the short game.