Why can’t I chose text easily any more or tape at a place to correct spell with out choosing the whole word or sentence? What’s changed I phone 13 pro max

Yes, it is possible.

There are two ways.

1. Change the Keyboard to Trackpad to move the insertion point (Cursor). Press and Hold the spacebar and move your fingers!
2. 
3. Also, the second option is to touch and slide your finger, watch the gif below
4. 

I've been experiencing this through all the betas and can't believe I'm on a "stable" iOS 17 version now because this issue is preventing me from writing text messages and emails efficiently. It's impossible to edit anything because words keep getting selected when trying to place the cursor.

Predictive text is the problem. If you have it on, when you use one of the predicted words you can't edit or insert in the text without erasing the word or one adjacent. If you're in predictive mode but write the entirety of a word, that word isn't affected. If you have predictive mode off, it shouldn't happen.

https://apple.com/feedback

Tap and hold space bar, then the keyboard becomes a touch pad. Slide the cursor with your thumb to where you want it.

I just said that.

Did you read the solution given by me and by SraVanKra?