Brian,
Rather a pity that we seem to basically agree, since Ringer, in despair, has stopped discussion, using rational arguments, and it would be fun to have some vigorous arguing with a flamboyant Italian stallion.
In a nutshell, simplifying to the bare bones, downswing has approximately two distinct phases:
Active stage - Injecting momentum/energy into a folded system, by torquing around a fixed center, generating maximum angular velocity.
Passive phase - The system is now on its own, unfolding under the influence of the centrifugal force, creating useful velocity for clubhead.
Hitting and swinging for me are foremost a matter of feel. Torques, around swing center, are created through the triangle, for both approaches. I don’t believe in this straight line delivery for hitting. All in golf is rotation, one way or another.
(I feel that #1 and #3 are need refining being multiple choice questions, yet one answer given.
)