Hybrid clubs are a cross between irons and fairway woods. Drawing from the best design aspects of each club style, hybrids are typically easier for a golfer to swing with accuracy and consistency on the course. This means that you will gain more distance than if you stuck to fairway woods and long irons, which are hard for middle to high handicap golfers to hit.
Average Gains
The average player with a moderate swing speed will likely gain five to eight yards with a full-powered hybrid swing. Though players that swing around 100 mph or more are not likely to see much benefit from using a hybrid instead of a 2-iron for long shots, most players do not come close to these swing speeds. If your swing speed is around 60 mph or less, a hybrid could replace every club up to your 6-iron in your bag.
From the Fairway
"Golf Digest" contributor E. Michael Johnson states that hybrids have become the club of choice among professional golfers when playing long courses. During the U.S. Open held at the Bethpage Black golf course in 2009, which had three 500-yard or more par four holes, only 10 players carried a 2-iron in their bag. Johnson compares this to the previous time the U.S. Open was held on the course, in 2002, when 70 of the participants had a 1- or 2-iron at the ready.
From the Rough
For golfers not quite ready for the PGA Tour, hybrid clubs can add a notable amount of distance when hitting from the rough. The design of a hybrid club head is similar in overall shape to a fairway wood but with a loft angled closer to an iron. This means that you are able to swing the club at a lower speed than a typical iron shot from the rough but still cut through the grass and launch the ball as you would with the iron. The result is a controlled swing that is consistent with a high and straight trajectory.
Adaptability
You can use a hybrid golf club in most situations on a golf course simply by changing your grip or swing style. While most players choose hybrids for shots beyond 160 yards, PGA Tour winner Nick Price says that he uses a hybrid for shots out of the bunker, from the green fringe and even as a chipping wedge. Tommy Berry of the Learn About Golf website adds that some hybrids are manufactured with adjustable weights in the club head so you can fine tune your swing from anywhere on the course.
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