If you look at the statistics of the top golfers around the world, you will not find the best longest hitters of the ball at the top of the rankings on a consistent basis. You will find the great ball strikers who have the best short game. An example of this would be Tiger Woods. He would not be anywhere near the top of the rankings in most fairways hit, but hit putting and scrambling statistics were at the top end of the rankings when he was at his peak. Another example is Phil Mickelson. Again, not many fairways hit, but a great short game allows him to win two US Masters Championships!
The problem with the short game is that people find it boring to practice. Another point which I find very important that many golfers take for granted is that most club golfers have the wrong style of wedge to suit their game or to improve their game. Many golfers when buying a set simply get the same wedge style as their irons. Many people may feel this is fine, but I do not feel that way. In America, golf companies now sell their sets from 4 iron to PW or even 9 iron because golfers now have the opportunity to buy specialized wedges to suit their game. These specialized wedges are finely cut and made with a different bounce and loft to suit your game.
The pick of the specialized wedges are made by Mizuno, Titleist and Cleveland. If you are unsure if your wedges suit your game and would like to know more, do not hesitate to ask.
An interesting example was from a lesson I gave recently. The golfer was using a standard wedge from his set. This was not working well. I looked at his technique which was respectable, but when I got him to try a specialized wedge, the results improve dramatically. We swapped the clubs frequently to make sure things were fair. It was clear to see that the specialized wedge improved hit shots and confidence without changing his technique.
