i wish everybody was as open minded as you, i think a lot of people wrongly associate ability to hit the ball far with a low handicap
for me i find a full swing easy as there is no real feel involved, just give it a lash, but judging finer touches of approach shots and chipping is really tricky, i've recently bought a chipper to help 
i share your friends pain, hitting a peach of a a drive and walking off with a bogey or worse is frustrating
