Explaining a distance gap

[Shindig]

As part of my process of getting new irons, I'm looking into why I have a notable distance gap in my bag from the 4-hybrid to the 5-iron. In particular, I play my 4H to 175-180 yards, while my 5-iron tops out about 160. Thankfully, I'm not in the 155-175 range all that often.

It didn't occur to me until tonight to look into the weight of the shafts in each. As best I can tell, my 4-hybrid - a Nike SQ 24° model, with the hDiamana shaft, has a shaft weight of 81 grams (I think - the only article I could find that mentions it is this review , although I didn't do an exhaustive search). My 5-iron, at 27°, has an R300 shaft at 127 grams.

Also, the R300 shaft is low flight, while I believe the hDiamana is intended for high ball flight.

This leads to two questions -- did I correctly read the weight of the 4H shaft (it isn't marked on the shaft)? If so, is this 46 gram difference the cause of the distance gap, even on well struck 5-irons? This weight difference, perhaps combined with the designed flight characteristics, make me wonder. It's also mildly annoying, because I have rather consistent distance gaps for the rest of my bag: D-4H and 6-56°.

My temporary solution has been to put the 4-iron in the bag as well, but I don't want to have this as a permanent makeup.

[SeanMcFarlin]

Hybrids are meant to go farther than irons. It's the way they're designed. They are made for long high flight.

[max power]

Hybrid head combined with lighter shaft=10-15 more yds than equivalent loft iron.

[Dad-2-3]

My 4i shaft is only 1/2" longer than my 5i shaft. My 4h shaft is 1" longer than my 5i shaft. The extra length combined with clubhead design = longer, higher ball flight than the 4i. I have learned to compensate for the gap by gripping down 3/4" on the hybrid.

[Cornbread]

Just choke down on the 4 hybrid when needed.

[jrm1493]

I have a similar issue between my 3h and 4i, but I think its worth it to have an extra wedge in my bag. I can choke up on the hybrid and hit a slice with it which takes care of the problem for the most part, except that sometimes I end up hitting it straight and end up left of where I want to be. I can also try to hit a low draw with the 4i which goes a little farther than my natural push-fade, but that is a harder shot for me to pull off so I don't attempt it that often unless I have to (risk of a double cross).

[Gerald]

In most brand s a 4h is about 10-15 yds longer than a 4i, do if you want to fill the gap you then should add a 5h or 4i