Hybrid golf clubs and fairway woods

High-lofted fairway woods have been popular additions to players' bags over the past 10 years. These clubs are easier to hit and they launch the ball higher than the long irons they replace. So what's the big deal about hybrids, also designed to replace the more difficult-to-hit long irons?

Isn't a high-lofted fairway wood just as good as one of the new hybrid models? The answer is yes and no. Your typical fairway wood is much longer than your typical hybrid, and longer always means less control. In most cases, the new hybrids feature shorter, iron-type shafts for better control. And since the shafts are shorter, the heads can be made heavier.

This luxury enables designers to move more mass to the low and rear areas of the club head, increasing launch angle and reducing both side- and backspin. Plus, the compact hybrid head shape is well-suited for a variety of lies. Yes, the long iron is just about dead. Could the same be said for fairway woods? The plethora of new hybrids including models from big-name manufacturers may hold a clue.

Callaway Clubs - The new Heavenwood is engineered to produce the carry distance of a fairway wood and the precision shot making ability of an iron. By the look of things, mission accomplished. The low, elongated profile of the Heavenwood promotes not only a low CG, but an increased MDI for maximum forgiveness on off-center hits. A modified WarBird sole minimizes turf drag and aids in club stabilization at impact. The Heavenwood is available in five different models to replace the 1- through 5-iron with a Callaway RCH Hybrid graphite shaft or in Big Bertha Uniflex steel ($200). Lofts: 14°, 17°, 20°, 23°, 26° (17°, 20°, 23°, 26° available LH).

Cleveland clubs - Although the LDI stands for Launcher Driving Iron, it may as well stand for "Long Driving Iron" since that's exactly what this club is designed to do. A specially designed internal weighting scheme lowers the CG and increases the MDI beyond that of a typical iron. These characteristics yield a penetrating ball flight with added spin for stability, two key factors in keeping both long approaches and tricky tee shots in play. Also new from Cleveland is the HALO utility club (pictured), featuring a more common hybrid design.

King Cobra hybrids - A version of the Cobra Baffler has been in existence for more than 30 years, but today's iteration is clearly the best to date. Made of 17-4 stainless steel with a maraging-steel face insert, the Baffler presents the distance of a fairway wood with an elongated faceplate designed to rest squarely at address. A modernized Baffler sole reduces drag against the turf to help you conquer any lie the course can throw at you. A low CS, increased MDI and an Aldila NV-65 HL.

The LoCo Hybrid utility irons are intended to replace long irons, and feature deep faces that facilitate getting the ball airborne with ease. To further increase playability, the LoCo utilities come standard with Harrison XL 85 Hybrid graphite shafts, which are designed to help generate greater swing speed.

Ben hogan clubs - This hybrid features low center of gravity to help get shots airborne, compression-forged titanium faces for enhanced forgiveness and longer lengths than typical long irons for added distance yet shorter lengths than typical fairway woods for increased accuracy. The loft also are designed with trailing edge sole relief for extra versatility and playability. Lofts: 17°, 19°, 21°, 24°, 27° (available LH).