Wedge play is an area of the game the overwhelming majority of amateurs do not spend enough time practising.
That is perfectly understandable but there is also a bewildering number of wedge options and it is easy to see why many club golfers also do not have the optimum short irons for their game.
Fortunately there are wedges out there that will paper over the lack-of-club-tailoring/
Cleveland has an unrivalled reputation in this area of golf equipment and this month has already released the next generation of its wedges for elite players – the RTX 6 ZipCore.
The CBX – the original was launched in 2017 – will do a great job for the rest of us, not least because it is a wonder of forgiveness. They go on sale on March 15th
RELATED: Cleveland unleash a spin monster
“Our new CBX Full-Face 2 wedge allows golfers the freedom to get creative around the greens and in tight yardages, with the perfect amount of spin control,” said Sean Hanafusa, CEO and Chairman at Srixon Sports Europe. “With the biggest face ever on a CBX wedge, you’ll be able to strike the ball anywhere on the face with more forgiveness, while enjoying controlled stopping power in any conditions.”
Club face size certainly matters in this department. The CBX-Full Face 2 has 13% more contact area than the RTX 6 and if Mr Hanafusa is right about being able to ‘strike the ball anywhere on the face’, that means it is some golf club.
But, as is normally the case with Cleveland wedges, it is packed with innovations.
It is worth spending a bit of time examining the face. Those fuzzy little lines will help you spin the ball. Cleveland’s HydraZip technology uses dynamic face blasts and laser lines that ‘maximize’ friction in order to improve spin consistency regardless of whether it is dry or wet.
The grooves themselves are UltiZip – such a great name – and they too are designed to enhance spin. Cleveland has made them sharper, deeper and more tightly spaced.
Combine the two technologies and those with slower swing speeds should see their balls dance like never before.
The range comes in six lofts. At the bottom end – 50˚ and 52˚ – the full sole gives you more bounce. The expectation is these wedges will be used more often on full shots and you should get a more stable connection.
The C-Shaped sole for Cleveland’s 54˚, 56˚, 58˚, and 60˚ wedges give you more bounce in the centre along with relief around the heel. The hope is that combination will optimise the balance between forgiveness and green-side versatility.
Club Info
• Lofts – Full Sole: 50˚, 52˚. C-Shaped: 54˚, 56˚, 58˚, 60˚.
• Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold 115 Spinner Tour Issue / Project X Catalyst 80 Spinner.
• Grip: The Lamkin Crossline 360
UK Price: £159 (steel) / £169 (graphite)
Available in Europe: March 15th
