One of the toughest decisions for the modern golfer to make is what to put in their bag between the middle iron and the driver.  There are, after all, more options than ever and the amount of technical literature and advise that is out there today is nothing short of overwhelming.   For example does a hybrid of a particular loft play differently than a rescue club  or utility wood of the same loft.  Swing speed is only one factor that plays a part in the decision.

There are many other variables that are often overlooked when comparing hybrids to rescue or utility clubs.  The arc of the swing for instance greatly effects the golfers ability to launch the ball higher.  Golfers who position the ball differently in there swing can also have an effect on launch.

Typically a slower swinger will hit the ball slightly better with a utility wood but that is assuming it is from a decent lie.  Faster swingers hit hybrids and fairway woods almost the same distance.

One of the key factors speed does play a part in is ball spin.  The faster the swing speed the more spin is put on the ball.  Clubs with a deeper center of gravity that are designed to increase launch angle can actually hurt the golfer who imparts to much spin on the ball.  The end result is usually a ball that balloons high into the air but suffers distance.

Slower swingers can benefit from a lower CG and a more shallow face to help increase their ball flight thus resulting in more carry and greater distance.  Also this technology allows a slower swinger to hit shots from problematic lies and produce shots that land softer and under more control.

Faster swingers might enjoy a few more yards of carry with a longer shafted utility or rescue club but it might not be a great trade off because most hybrid clubs offer more control.