The reason you would want your driver to work is because instead of hitting 2i/3i is that the shorter your
clubs get, the more control you have with them. If you could hit driver/5i instead, you would have a much better chance of hitting the green on a 500 yard hole. This is why you see so many people working on their drivers on the range, even though you will probably only hit a driver 10 - 14 times a round. A well struck driver in the middle of the fairway will give you a 50 yard advantage to your long
irons from the tee (some people are more, others less).
Garbologist,
It sounds like you really need to work on your short game. Try these two tips for chipping and putting - slow your back swing down AND shorten your backswing. If you shorten your backswing, you are then forced to accelerate through the ball. Most high handicappers take a big backswing for short shots and decelerate through the ball which causes fat and skulled shots and VERY inconsistant speeds. Slowing down the backswing will keep your club head under control and with those two tips you should be able to knock 5 shots off your score.