[KevCarter]

As Mr. Kelley once said, there is no best...

The standard 12-1 hitting procedure employs punch elbow which I believe would be the stock answer to the question, and would be the text book position.

Also see the following quote from the 6th edition:

HITTING

10-19-A DRIVE LOADING
Drive Loading is the “Axe Handle” technique of the “Hitter” – an out-and-out Right Arm Thrust against Clubhead Lag (Angular Inertia) striving to accelerate (radially) a Pre-stressed (Bent) Clubhshaft, from a slow Start Down through Impact. Per 7-19-1. See 2-N.
All Short Shots can be short, strong Strokes, eliminating all unnecessary motion by using only the one Accumulator (until greater distance is needed). But always –PUSH a lagging Clubhead through Impact.
Clubhead Throwaway here is due usually to over-acceleration. Use shorter Strokes and/or lower Thrust. The Stroke can be shortened per 10-15-B or by taking advantage of the fact that the Backstroke will stop when the Right Elbow becomes fully bent.

HIT OR SWING

10-19-B DOWN-STROKE (OR FLOAT) LOADING
This procedure delays the Wristcock until the Start Down and completes it as specified by the Stroke Pattern Assembly Point Component. “Float Loading” also describes this procedure – especially the sensations, because the Cocking motion should not be at all sharp, but gentle, or even lazy. With a “Frozen Wrist” procedure (10-3-K) the Down-stroke Cocking Action is limited to increasing the Right Elbow Bend only.
Assembly, Loading and Release are usually accomplished simulataneously, then with a Flicking action – automatic or non-automatic – continues as either Drive or Drag Loading, designating it as either 19-B/A or 19-B/C. And use corresponding Short Shot recommendations.
Down-stroke Loading (7-19-2) must set up either Radial Acceleration per 10-19-A or Longitudinal Acceleration per 10-19-C for the corresponding Release procedure.
Quitting and/or collapse of the Wrist alignments and structure need special attention here for Clubhead Throwaway prevention.

Question for the more advanced than me. Coltsfan asked a question that always holds a little controversy. When looking at 10-19-B, is punch elbow a necessary component for float loading, or not mandatory?

Thanks,
Kevin