Hybrids generally are designed to go farther than the traditional long irons because they tend to be longer and most do use lighter weight graphite shafts. No rule says they have to be anything but the normal progression longer than the longest iron, but you need to be aware of the head weight of the hybrid. for example, if the head weight of a #5 hybrid is the same as a normal #5 iron, you could make it the same length as a #5 iron and have the same swing weight, assuming the same weight shaft and grip. If it is a little lighter, and it most likely would be, then the length of the hybrid would need to be longer to get the same swing weight / head feel. What shaft you use does depend on what length you are making the hybrids and what overall weight you want to make the transition in feel from the irons to the hybrids work for you. Hybrid shafts are not by nature soft and whippy. They have flex characteristics and profiles just like any other shaft. What yo may be feeling is the lighter weight, not necessarily more flex, but I can only guess. Picking a graphite weight that is closer to the steel weight or going with a steel shaft in the hybrids is fine. Whatever works for you. Most will go with slightly lighter to offset the additional length that most hybrids are built to. You can always use a stiff shaft in the hybrids as well, even if you use the regular shaft in the irons. Of course you have to evaluate the feel and ball flight etc., but that is not uncommon. I play an S flex in irons and Xstiff in fairways and hybrids and back to S flex in my driver. That is what works for me. Probably going to have do a little experimenting to find the right combination for you.
Britt Lindsey
Lowest lofted iron is a 6 iron and hybrid loft is 25 degrees….