re: Do you ever layup/hit into the rough intentionally for a softer lie?

I did whenever I first started playing and didn't know yet that it's not a good idea to try to help the ball into the air with your irons/wedges. But also, when I first started playing, I was aiming for the golf course from the tee and I was lucky if I found my ball in the rough.

Those shorter shots that you mentioned, from the fairway, are now my favorite shot in golf. When I struggled with that distance, the majority of the time it was because I was decelerating just before the point of impact and trying to control the distance that way. I now use the clock system (not sure what the technical term is) and let my backswing dictate the distance on those shots. Mentally, it frees me up to attack the ball on the downswing and avoid those thin or chunky shots.