I could hit the grass in front of the ball and pop it up for a short distance.

I could top the ball and see it bounce out in front of me a bit.

I could REALLY top or hit in front and just bounce the ball out 5 yards or so.

I could get a solid hit, but slice it and send it off to the right. And even then, there are variables in play. How wide is the fairway? I might still be in play. Is there a sand trap. How deep is the rough. Was I aiming enough to the left, knowing I might slice, so that my ball plays the middle of the fairway?

I could hit it great - which I almost never do - meaning that because I went up a club knowing that I never hit the ball well the ball actually flies further than expected and ends up beyond the curve in the fairway or over the green.

Or - I could hit it just right and watch my ball fly right where I want it to go...mostly. But yeah, that rarely happens.