Learn how to hit fairway woods and hybrids correctly
In the old days people used to say, first learn to play with your irons and then go on to woods.
Today many people prefer fairway woods and hybrids to irons because modern technology makes fairway woods and hybrids easier to use, a lot of people find it easier to swing with fairway woods and hybrids than with irons, because they are longer clubs so need a more upright setup position.
For most people this stance allows for more freedom of movement making it easier to turn the body around the spinal axis. Standing more upright also allows you to swing the ball in to a shallower plain, this is the main difference from playing with irons which because you have to lean forward to reach the ball, you swing down at a steeper angle taking a divot.
When you hit from the fairway with woods and hybrids, you want the club head to sweep the ball away, you do not want to take any divot.
The Setup
Setup with your weight on the balls of your feet shoulder width apart, if your stance is much wider it will stop you from rotating and shifting your weight effectively during the swing, leaving you stuck in the middle loosing distance on your shot.
Stand with the ball just inside your left heel, when using a low numbered club and between the heel and the middle of your stance for the higher numbers. Lean your upper body slightly to the right behind the ball, this makes it easier to rotate your body right and upwards in the back swing, shifting your weight on to your right foot as you do so, your now in a position to move your weight back left, during the downswing directing all the force forwards towards the target.
The Swing
A full turn on the back swing also allows you to swing the club head in to the ball in a shallower plain sweeping the ball away, make sure you body rotates to lead your arms and hands through a nice wide arc.
Keep your muscles relaxed through out the swing for a smooth flowing motion, at the point of impact return your shoulders to the setup position square to the target line to make the club head swing straight in to the ball, at the same time release your hand maximizing the speed of the club head through the ball for a long straight shot.