gm9, first of all, the wrist to floor measurement does not tell the clubfitter anything and is one of the all time perpetual myths of golf. It is used because it is convenient, impressive and easy to do for the uninformed clubfitters out there. The finger tip to floor or wrist to floor measurement simply allows them look on a chart to conveniently determine e the club length.
Club length is properly fitted by hitting balls with the same exact club made up in a few different lengths. You can fit a driver this way or your irons. The procedure is to use impact decals on the face of the club and determine which club length produces the best pattern for close or on center ball hits. So, you see that club length is a function of a player’s ability and not their wrist to floor measurement.
You are correct in that she is in between “A” and “R” flex. When this occurs, you need to think of an “A” flex shaft that has a stiffer tip section or an “R” flex shaft that has a weaker shaft tip section in an ideal world. If she can carry the ball with a driver 180 to 190 yards, go with the “R” flex for sure. But, if she plays less than 10 rounds a year, go with the “A” flex to help her out with hitting balls more solidly on off center hits. Less than 10 rounds a year is not enough to improve one’s game unless they hit quite a few balls on the driving range, practice putting a lot and also practicing chipping, pitching and sand shots.
So, here is what you do; assuming my above comments fit your wife’s situation. Buy the X-20’s with the graphite shafts in “R” flex. Make sure the #5 iron is no longer than 37 ¼”. Note here; make sure her driver is no longer than 43”. Be sure you have women’s grips on them and they are properly fit to her for size. The swingweight should be between C-4 and C-7. If less than C-4 the clubs are suspect at the #5 iron maximum length I gave you (37 ¼”). Also, be sure she is fit properly for lie angle by hitting on a lie angle board. I am hoping that you have a Golf Galaxy store somewhere near you or a reputable clubfitter in your area that does not use finger tip to floor measurements. If there is a Golf Galaxy store you can go to, print out a copy of this response and take it with you. They will fit her properly and check all these specifications.
Gm9, I am always at a disadvantage in these recommendations because I have not seen your wife swing and do not have the statistics from a launch monitor hitting session. I have done this enough to know my recommendations are close and a good starting point. Women swing differently from men and the specifications I have outlined above should definitely be adhered to. The goal is to get her to enjoy golf more and continually score better from year to year.
