I breakdown the game like this: Let's assume someone shoots 90 on average. Of those 90 strokes there's probably 32-36 putts, let's assume 34 putts. That means the 90 golfer will hit 56 wood and iron shots per round (90 - 34). Subtract 14 driver shots....leaving 42 iron shots of some type. Next, I consider par 3's as being "teed-up approach shots", so 42 - 4 = 38 shots hit off the ground.
A scratch golfer (72) would generally have around 29 putts, thus this golfer hits woods and irons 43 times. Subtract 14 driver shots to reach 29 iron shots of some type. Subtract 4 shots for par 3's for a total of 25 shots "off the ground". Summary....
90 Golfer total of ALL off the ground shots = 38 (52% more than the 72 golfer, more chance for error)
72 Golfer ALL off the ground shots = 25
Of the "off the ground" shots, assume the 90 golfer hits 4 greens in regulation. That would leave 14 short game shots, pitches, chips, bunker shots, etc (18 holes less 4 GIR). The scratch golfer hits 11 greens (60% GIR), leaving 7 short game shots, therefore the 90 golfer has double the number of short game shots (14). So nearly 40% of the 90 golfer's shots are short game shots. The scratch golfer has 7 divided by 26, or 27% short game shots. Now it's easier to calc the number of full iron shots during a typical round....
90 Golfer, full iron shot off the ground = 24 (total 38 - 14 short game shots)
72 Golfer, full iron off the ground shots = 18 (total 25 - 7 short game shots)
------90 Golfer has 33% more full iron shots.
Based on this summary, the typical 90-ish golfer has 33% more full iron shots, 100% more short game shots, and 17% more putts than the 72 golfer. So it seems to make sense for the 90 golfer to focus on the short game, putting, and knowing where to miss their approach shots to avoid more difficult short game shots. And if one misses the green, look at that as an opportunity to practice short game shots because they will never, ever, go away no matter how skilled one gets with longer irons.
In general, it's interesting to me that the shot differential in terms of total "off the ground" shots is not as much as some folks might think, and short game shots can be twice that for the 90 golfer, and the underlying cumulative effect of leaving shots in tough places is an unseen stroke multiplier.
@GolfLivesMatter @Tom Saguto
This RAC thing has really helped me, it clears the cobwebs and doubts that can creep in when standing over a putt. I can't say enough about it. It gives the mind a clear path when putting and a process that is simple for every putt. The last thought being "confidence", the mind can't live in a vacuum, there will always be some thought, doubt and fear have no place in putting, none.
So thank you guys for your support and taking the time. Also to GML, I can't find the exact thread, but your advice with the wedge of thinking of your shoulder being up against a wall, which is still a vague thing in my mind, but that I have implemented, I haven't bladed any. So thank you brother!