YankeeJim: I have a question about it, specifically hitting into that hazard. Why is the drop not in front of the hazard at the point of entry? I'm sure there's a reason but I'm not sure what it is.
+1
This should be the case, not a penalty and distance but drop zones and penalties in this game are its weakness. #18 Congressional is another hole that immediately springs to mind.
As for the OP - I agree, you are effectively wasting credits using a premium ball. You would be much better off playing a cheaper WGT ball, until you have clubs that will get the most out of the balls and you are less likely to lose them.
Sadly the starters clubs are not precise nor forgiving, especially out of rough, so you need to play conservatively but this comes from experience. Even with top clubs, if I find 30-40 rough from my drive on #2 KIA, I play short of the ditch and accept a longer approach to the green. Course management is an intergral part of this game, just as in real life golf.