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

50% chance of duffing off a fairway lie at 50 yards aren't very good odds. I'd get a lesson rather than hoping I hit it in to the rough and the ball somehow sits on top of a nice fluffy lie.

I get the sentiment. I've only recently dialed in my wedges to where I feel confident that I won't chunk or thin a 50 yarder. Before that I distinctly remember laying up to try to get 100-110 yds to the green cause that was my smooth easy gap wedge shot distance.