Parker I was the same way.

I'm a pretty darn solid short game golfer. LW,SW,PW,9,8 and 7 are my strengths.
It was 6 iron and down that I struggled mightily with. I don't know what it is about the hybrids but they are very easy to hit. If I need to go further than my 7iron I no longer think of 6,5,4, etc....I go straight for my 4,3 or 2 hybrid.

DJ a hybrid iron looks like a wood but is much smaller(the head of the club is smaller). They are really only good for hitting off the fairway or tee. In the thick a normal 4 iron would be better than a 4 hybrid, at least in my opinion.
Their are all kind of hybrid clubs out there. Some are irons and others are just size and degrees of loft. Call it a wood call it a iron call it a hybrid,, its just a modern golf club in the end.

I'm by no means a expert, been playing golf off and on for about the last seven years now. Really good with my short game because when I started playing the only place that I played at often was the old par three course that used to be at Bellarmine University off Newburg Rd. It was a $7 green fee that was good for all day. Would play 36 holes two or three times a week. Sometimes I got coaching from buddies who have been playing since they were knee high to grasshoppers.

I love golf because to me its a fun game that is very comparable to fishing and hunting. Don't know how to put that comparison into words but once you start playing a lot you'll understand.