I personally have never missed the fairway shooting for the regular fairwayin a competition...
On approach shots I have ended up in the trap left of the hole, had a easy short wedge shot in, and been on the green, but it is "always" a birdie/eagle hole....and I am on the green more times than not on it.
hitting to the other side, I have been sitting on the tee hitting my 3rd shot. and in the rough....on the other hand I have had a lot of eagle putts, at least closer than from the normal fairway....
However I choose to take "all" the danger out of play, I can play out of the sand, hit wedges close, and make a 35-40ft putts anyway if needed, why take the risks!
BUT I DO AGREE that it is shorter LOL....