We never had any physical discipline at home, not even when I was younger
We stopped spanking at 12 years. We also spanked, not beat. We were really careful about making it private. Both our children have told me they will spank when they have children so I don't think they found it a humiliation.
My parents believed in going the longer route and talk talk talk about what was going on and I'm glad they did.
We did both. Talk, Spank (if called for) then talk more. We were always considered very strict, but all the kids wanted to come to our house. Hummmm could it be because we let kids be kids and set very clear limits?