I want what's happening and what I'm doing to directly connect and align in my mind.
I thought your 3-zone pocket thing was a visual aid using the TOI? You are not saying you have the ability of hitting different parts of the pocket at will by deflection.
Now when I “do“use spin, my focus is on the cue ball and cue ball positioning, not so much on pocketing the object ball (I assume I will make it) I don’t see it as reducing my touch or feel of the game but it actually increases it. I am manipulating a situation for a positive outcome that benefits me.
At the deepest levels of play, the game isn't "just" a visual game, however, we must speed in those terms to communicate the techniques, as far as the "surface structure" and what's apparent. The key, from my experience is how to connect the components of the game so it will be visually felt.
When you say you're "manipulating the situation for a positive outcome" we are saying the same thing. The only reason I use the Inside, instead of the outside of the cue ball is the contact point is on the INSIDE. My mind can't align to the outside of the cue ball when connecting to the object ball because there's no true connection there. We can imagine that connection, and if that works then don't change it.
With my personal game I want what's happening and what I'm doing to directly connect and align in my mind. This is the only way I've found to hit the absolute highest levels possible, at this level the cue ball literally does what I "think".
I don't do this by "seeing the pocket zone," this happens by "feeling the pocket zone (I talk in terms of 'feeling the shot with my eyes')." This is my experience and seems to be shared my many other top players I've talked to through the years. 'The Game is the Teacher'