Anyone ever change back to hand throttle and do away with foot pedal?

I did. Had hand throttle since 1982. Bought boat in 2015 with foot control TM. Tried to get adjusted to it. Didn't work. Sold and bought another hand control TM. Now have I3 with remote control. Not perfect, but best alternative for me.

I think he might be talking about throttle to outboard instead of trolling motor..?

correct

I converted a few back. Its quite a bit of tight work. Very little room to see. But can be done.

My question is why.

I just can't get a smooth throttle response. Seems very hard to depress pedal, and at times it feels like it is in a bind. I just do not feel I have proper control of the throttle.

Time to replace the throttle cable. Just like anything else, they wear out. I recommend replacing the gear cable at the same time. They seem to start acting up soon after the other ones does.

I would make sure the cable is not in a bind.
A new cable and proper adjustment on the hot foot. The tension spring could be to strong for you,, you tried adjusting

I'll work om that this afternoon, the tension spring you refer to is the pull spring that attaches to pedal and the threaded rod near the base?

Looks like it time for new cable, old one is not easy to move with ends disconnected.

Thats a lot easier then putting in the shiftier throttle.

you might be able to read the number of the cable needed on the old cable. Dont pull out till you have the new one. Or pull and good rope with it.

While you're replacing the throttle cable, order a new Hot foot return spring and install. They stretch. That should put you in good shape for some time.

actually the old cable is fine just too short and bend radius were putting a bind in it. I have a new cable 2 foot longer coming. Old cable was the one from the side control @15 foot, new one is 17 foot. Should make everything work just fine. I was told the original cable would be just fine, little did I know.