Originally Posted by BC MIST
Bingo!!! The hybrids are a fad and perhaps a good one, as there is no doubt that they enable we mortals to get the ball up in the air a lot easier. However, a "decent 7 wood" is a better choice because it has the added advantage of enabling the golfer to hit a good shot out of the rough, whereas a hybrid is disadvantageous from a similar lie.
As the 7 wood is "on set", that is, the leading edge is ahead of the shaft, it cuts through the long grass before the grass can get wrapped around the hosel, resulting in a better shot. Its only disadvantage is that the club is a bit longer than the hybrid long iron. Most hybrids are close to being "zero offset," so long grass will wrap around the hosel too soon, causing a pull of a hook.
I tried the Snake Eyes Quick Strike hybrids several years a go when they first came out and found that they were wonderful from the tee or fairway, however, from the rough they were the worst clubs I had ever hit, and quickly went back to a traditional fairway wood.