On th course i play on, you have to at least try and shape shots to shoot any kind of decent score. on one hole, you only have to carry it 150 yards, but if you don't fade it (right Hander) you have a shot of 200+ yards to the green on a par4.
When i first started playing i used to mess around trying to hit big slices and stuff, it was fun, but it does have a purpose.

7 handicap to a 23, eh? what happened?!