Ok, I'd like to jump in here. Few among us can shape shots on demand reliably. The rule of thumb in course management is "take the trouble out of play". This is valid even for shot-shapers.

Take the first example: need to hit a draw?...fine, but choose a target, a specific target, to aim at that allows for some error...few holes are set up where 15 yds one way or the other will mean death. Also, few holes are set up where a straight shot will hurt you...that's tour caliber. On the dogleg right, you're saying you have to bend it around the corner or you'll be facing a 200-yd shot to the green?...which is better, 200 out of the fairway or 100 from the rough out the back? Consider how the hole is set up, how the designer meant for it to be played...consider respecting that. I emphasize to choose a specific target on the horizon to focus your mind on...if you hit right at it then it'll be what you planned, if you miss a little left or right you're still in play. If fate intervenes and you end up stymied then pitch or punch out and take your medicine. I believe if you choose the right line off the tee you'll have to miss pretty badly to get in any real trouble (unless it's just a really hard hole) and a slight miss usually won't mean high numbers.

Same thing on overshooting the green...choose a club that you know you can hit full without flying the world. Of course, "taking out the trouble" depends on the setup...if you're between clubs and there's water in front then take the longer stick to ensure you don't come up short...if there's OB or water behind the green, take the shorter club that you are certain you can't hit that far. Now all of this means you must know your yardages for each club. If you catch one fat or hit a flyer then that's just how it goes but if you've clubbed yourself properly and don't miss-hit it too bad then you should still have a chance to recover.

Even the pros will tell you that often they just want to take one side or the other out of play, thus eliminating the real trouble. They're shaping the shot, allright, but not to hit a specific blade of grass at a specific distance, just to make sure that they don't go in the gunch. If you can do that then you're pretty good and should be able to handle/accept whatever result fate/the golf gods hand you.

One last thing...to me, this seems like a course management issue...some have commented on how to hit a fade or draw reliably - mechanics...well, that should be worked out on the range and shouldn't be at the top of your conscience when on the course. Take your game with you and trust it...but use your head to give your game the best chance to produce.

Shade