This is where a fitting is invaluable. If you are taking a 5 iron out, then you will likely want to put something similar in loft in it's place as a hybrid. The added shaft length and higher launch will separate the distance between the hybrid and your 6 iron. However, going through a fitting and seeing numbers on a launch monitor and seeing the flight of the ball will allow you to dial the filling of that gap. You will want to take the distance you hit your 6 iron and then the 7 wood, and find a club that goes the distance halfway between the two.

Hybrids generally travel further than the same lofted iron. Longer shaft, different head designs, etc. With adjustable hosels, there should be a hybrid to cover your distance gap. I had a fitting this summer to regap after I realized I had 3 clubs within 5-10 yards of each. Worth seeking professional help.

Tough decisions for sure. You have to ask yourself what yardage range you're most looking to fill, and what club suits it the best. Giving up the long irons was VERY difficult for me. If your 5/6 irons are close in yardage you may compress one better due the club length, that's not uncommon. You're going to need to be fit for the hybrid by an experienced guy and tell him exactly the gap you're looking to fill. A good fitter will establish your stock yardage on the 5-iron, and go from there. Regardless, you're always going to have a gap somewhere between woods/irons.

24 hybrid would replace the 5 iron.

My thumbnail shows my carry bag and I have 5W-9W-27H. 19.5-23.75-28 lofts

The lofts of the fairways in the attachment are 16.5-20-23.75. 20 is 5/7.

Hybrids are lower trajectory typically than metal woods like your 7 so it would be more of a function of carry distance vs total distance. Also, you may wish to consider what type of shots you are hitting to determine which makes the most sense.

Now on to your question about distance itself, I would carry your 3, 5 and 7 woods and see how they go...if you did a hybrid the 21 may be closest to your four or five iron potentially. The 7 wood and 21 hybrid will have similar distances so you just need to see which trajectory you need (low or high) as well as which you have more confidence hitting. Some people prefer hybrids and some prefer metal woods...some, like myself, like to hit both but still lean towards one or the other...I lean towards hybrids.

Good Luck!

That is a question that a lot of us struggle with. Will be 78 in September and do struggle with distance myself.
I carry a TSiD3 10.75*, TSiF2 15*, TSR1 18* and a TSR1 21* then have T350 irons 5-W48, SM9 52.08F, 58.08M. I had the TSR1 23* hybrid in my bag but did not feel I could get the flexibility I needed with it. When I ordered my new set of irons I did not order the five iron. I made the right decision of staying with that iron and ordered the new one. It is my 165-175 yard club and I can work it.

Right now on sabbatical and have not played since June 2nd. Hoping to return by end of September. Good time to heal with the hot and humid weather in Charleston, SC. And to do some long overdue traveling with my wife.

I would not worry too much.