[pete09]

Not an expert, but this might help.
For me dowel is best used for alignment to trace the plane line esp. Basic and Acquired Motion. To avoid shanking, dowel with impact bag will be more useful for Full or Acquired Motion. When placed at ball position, at impact I look at my hand and make sure it's verticle to the plane( ground). (So when using the club, the club face,not the hosel, will come into impact)