I'm getting the hang of some of the shots...anything around 22 yards has to be a sand wedge. On the fairway, no spin. In the rough, line the club blade to the top of the grass on the ball spin indicator and hey presto! Within 2 feet every time (frequently hitting the flag). Anything less than 10 yards though... totally different story.
I've tried 9 iron down to lob, with all permutations (backspin, forward spin, dead centre, deliberate hook, deliberate slice... chip, flop and full) - even buying better balls. But regardless, it's either:
(a) anything less than full power will get (at best) 1 foot closer ; or
(b) at full power, sails over the pin - and frequently, off the green too.
Nothing in between.
I have seen other players - from beginner to tour pro - have the same issue, and nobody knows why this happens. So I now follow the rule... Try not to go in the rough!