Most recommended pads/footprints of surface mount parts are optimized to save board space and assume the components will be soldered by a reflow oven. If you are going to hand solder the parts, you will find the pads to be too short for the soldering iron to heat up the pad.
Remember, the proper way to solder is to heat up the pad first, apply solder, and push the solder to the pin.
It is easy to create your own footprints that are optimized for hand soldering. Generally speaking, leave at least 1 millimeter of exposed pad space (not covered by the pin or solder mask) to be heated up by the soldering tip.