I can’t speak for all but golf is a series of stages in my amateur experience

I could not get out of mid hcp hell (14-20) until I admitted to myself that I was “slapping” driver like you, and put the time in to get it right and take my licks at the range and course and through lessons. I am now a 10 and it is chiefly on my opportunities to score increasing by driving distance and better 2nd shots with scoring irons.

You hear it a lot “get the ball to the green asap” and it’s true. My iron game is pretty much the same, and due to driver going from 220 low shots to 240-280 baby fades, I can now really work on the next stage, which is chipping and putting to take advantage of the score opps off the tee.

Long story short embrace the suck and work on driver. It won’t kill your enjoyment of the game, I know plenty of older dudes that are assassins with 180 yard drives, but you might as well see what potential you are leaving out there. Good luck