I think you really need to also look at the fact that many modern pros grew up in the "image conscious" swing era. They learned swings through posed positions, and were told to "hold the finish" and "make it pretty" by a lot of instructors. As such, there are a lot of false finishes out there on tour, especially among players trying to force a shot shape by forcing themselves into a finish. This teaching practice is still prevalent, especially among junior players who you see holding their full finish all the way till the ball lands (kind of pretentious if you ask me...).
However, if you watch some of the older players (and especially if you watch vintage golf), you will notice much less of this action. Many swing all the way to the finish and recoil into a rest position. Nicklaus, Hogan, Snead, Nelson... etc. In the modern era, some players still do the recoil action.
I firmly believe trying to manufacture a finish is a sign that you are trying to overcontrol the club outside of where the rest of your swing is placing it (ie... you're fighting yourself). I think for the average player (myself included), trying to force a finish is dangerous unless you know what you are working on and why that finish shape will fit with the rest of your swing to produce a shot shape (ie... the "one last point" from brian's soft draw pattern).
That being said, when you make an easy 3/4 swing and hit it flush, ... not exactly that hard to pose whatever kooky finish you want. The question becomes though...
Does it make the ball go in the hole any sooner?
