I still consider myself a newb (been smoking a pipe for a few months now). I too had this very problem the first several times I tried. I was attempting to smoke an over the counter drug store blend (which is not bad in and of itself. Some of them are excellent) and it was goopy and sticky with topping. I believe it was the Blender's Gold cherry cavendish from Walgreens. Do yourself a favor and don't buy any of that.

Anyway I think the wetness combined with my rookie packing technique is why I had issues.

I now use the swirl method almost exclusively (except for flakes) and I pack it pretty loose. If the bowl doesn't last very long because of the loose pack, then oh well. I smoke mostly cobs so I'll just fill her back up and do it again.

Also, like others have mentioned, I had to get used to a faster paced smoking since I was used to cigars. I take about 3 sips every 15-20 seconds and it seems to work for me. These aren't long draws mind you, just sips. All three together probably don't equal a second or a second and a half total.
And this won't apply for every tobacco either. I like a lot of variety in life so I'll smoke a aromatic ribbon cut one day, a VA flake the next and maybe an English blend the next. Hell some days I'll smoke all 3. And they all burn differently. A moist flake tobacco will burn slower and will likely require more relights. I love SG Full Virginia Flake. It's probably my favorite tobacco at this time. It can be an absolute pain in the ass to get going. Most times it requires 3 or more charring lights for me. And I'll relight it several times before the bowl is over. But damn, it's good.

Said all that to say this. 1) You will develop a rhythm that works for you if you keep at it and 2) that rhythm is subject to change with different types of baccy.
The point is to enjoy it. Don't worry about it. You'll get better at it.