[tongzilla]

In summary, Homer at times said that the ball stayed on the clubhead/face for ¾ of an inch but always thought that the ball’s initial direction was where the clubface was pointing- which was a contradiction in my mind- if the ¾” was travel, but if the ¾” is compression- with no ball travel- then everything would be consistent. The only solution is that since the ball is a little wider than 1.5” that the ¾ of an inch is compression and not travel.

Can you please explain further how the ¾ inch is all compression and not travel?

Looking at videos, it seems like there is compression and travel (although very little).

To summarise and clarify:
The ball leaves at right angles to clubface if it doesn't ride along the clubface during impact (ball only compresses).
Otherwise, initial ball direction is based on path and face.