Best Cleveland Wedges 2023

The best Cleveland wedges deliver an exquisite blend of spin, trajectory control and stability, making them brilliant for playing full shots, pitch shots and delicate greenside recovery shots. Consequently, it pays to make sure you’re kitted out with some of the best wedges (opens in new tab) available. 

There's no denying Cleveland fits into that mould. Renowned for crafting some of the best-looking and best-performing wedges, there are an array of different models to suit every type of golfer and turf condition. For those who don’t have as much control over strike location, there are multiple full-face options that produce a high level of spin no matter the contact point, while the elite golfers out there will enjoy Cleveland's new UltiZip grooves that are closer together and deeper than ever before for the ultimate in control.

There are also different bounces and grinds available, so whether you have a tendency to get too steep or too shallow, there’s a perfect wedge for you. You might also want to consider the aesthetics. This list features both muscleback and cavity-back designs, with most available in three finishes - tour satin, black satin and raw - so you really can tailor your choice based on your exact preferences. 

While you're here, you may also want to check out some of our other guides on the most forgiving wedges (opens in new tab), the best lob wedges (opens in new tab) or the best wedges for chipping (opens in new tab). But right now, we're going to detail the best Cleveland wedges currently on the market. 

Best Cleveland Wedges

The latest in a long line of well-trusted blade wedges from Cleveland, the RTX 6 ZipCore wedge has some major upgrades on the previous Cleveland RTX ZipCore model (opens in new tab). Not much is different in terms of the aesthetics, with the club retaining the classic RTX profile, but it's under the hood where you'll see most of the new innovations. The hosel is made of 95 percent more aluminum and silicone and is a lot lighter, increasing the MOI by 20 percent, making this club one of the most forgiving wedges (opens in new tab) out there.

Cleveland's UltiZip grooves, that became such a hit in the previous iterations of this club, are back and are sharper, deeper and closer together. Laser milled lines have been etched between the grooves and the entire face has been treated with what Cleveland are calling HydraZip blasting, to enhance the club's friction. There is a lot of spin on offer in this club and it easily ranks as one of the best wedges for chipping (opens in new tab).

Cleveland have thought of every golfer when producing this new wedge, providing players with a wide variety of loft and bounce options you can customise your club with, making it a great match for any kind of player. In fact, the new Low+ grind was a real hit and operates well on any 52º- 60º club to create some of the best sand wedges (opens in new tab) and best lob wedges (opens in new tab) on the market. From balance to grip, the new RTX 6 ZipCore really is a winner when it comes to playability and is one of the best wedges (opens in new tab) available right now.

• Read our full Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

One of the best wedges for mid handicappers (opens in new tab), the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 wedge is a cavity backed club that delivers a lot of control and forgiveness around the greens. It steps in to fill in the gap that most golfers find in their cavity backed iron sets, but still features most of the spin enhancing features that can be seen on the RTX 6 ZipCore blade. The CBX boasts a stunning design and the classic tear-drop profile that we've seen in many of Cleveland's previous offerings. It does though come with a larger head and full groves that combine to deliver a lot of confidence when you address the ball. 

On its face, the club has been given a HydraZip blast finish which is said to improve spin in wet conditions, while Cleveland's UltiZip grooves are sharp, deep and allow you to really rip through the golf ball. Those grooves span the full width of the club and mean you can really open the face and add spin onto the ball on any kind of shot you want to play. It is without a doubt one of the best wedges for chipping (opens in new tab).  

The sole comes in both a standard sole grind, which is good for lower lofted clubs, and a C-Shaped sole grind, that gives a little more relief in the heel and toe for clubs like your lob wedge or sand wedge. On both grinds, the sole is a little wider than the RTX 6, giving you more margin for error if you're looking to pop the ball up from tighter lies. That again makes it one of the best high bounce wedges (opens in new tab) on the market. We really enjoyed the feel on this club and this is primarily down to the TPU back insert that sits in the cavity to moderate the sound and deliver excellent feedback. 

• Read our full Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

The RTX is Cleveland’s tour-inspired wedge family and is designed for pros and low-handicappers seeking the ultimate in feel, versatility and spin control, packaged in a traditional-looking club. What makes the RTX Zipcore one of the best golf wedges (opens in new tab) around is the core that sits in the heart of the muscleback design. Its density is four times lower than that of the steel head, allowing weight to be distributed elsewhere. That extra 10-15 grams, along with the head shape, makes the sweet-spot better aligned with impact location as the centre of gravity (CG) is shifted away from the hosel. 

For a muscleback wedge, we found the RTX ZipCore to be very user-friendly, while the UltiZip grooves deliver excellent levels of spin. It is by far one of the best sand wedges (opens in new tab) for that reason, and the new grooves are sharper, deeper and narrower than before, meaning they bite that little bit harder. It also comes in three finishes - black satin, tour satin and tour rack (raw) - and a variety of sole designs, so golfers can ensure they have the perfect model to suit their swing type and playing conditions. 

• Read our full Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

Once again, the ZipCore at the heart of this wedge provides plenty of forgiveness, but there’s a lot more on offer than just that, with the wedge earning a place in our Editor's Choice awards for 2022 (opens in new tab). Golfers can look forward to more spin thanks to the two extra UltiZip grooves per face that allow for more groove contact on every shot, with there also being a range of grind options, with V-, C- and S-Shaped soles allowing golfers to find the model that suits their swing and the turf conditions they regularly have to contend with. 

While not the best-looking wedge in Cleveland’s line-up, the TPU insert at the back does serve a purpose, working to improve the feel across the face to ensure even mis-hits produce a nice result. And for those looking to add one of the best pitching wedges (opens in new tab) on the market to their bag, a 44° CBX ZipCore is available that is a great fit for most players. Overall my testing revealed that Cleveland’s CBX ZipCore wedge really impressed across all the key performance areas. It is one of the most forgiving wedges (opens in new tab) to play with and is seamlessly easy to hit on full shots, while closer to the green, the spin was excellent.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

Another full-face offering from Cleveland, the RTX ZipCore FullFace is an extremely versatile option that gives golfers consistency and forgiveness in equal measure. The low-density core shifts the centre of gravity and raises the MOI for premium control on distance, flight and spin. In addition, the high-toe shape combined with the full-face grooves mean golfers with less control of their strike location can take advantage of the new grooves, which Cleveland say are sharper, deeper and narrower than ever before. 

While it impacts the looks slightly for those who prefer the classic teardrop shape, it’s a small price to pay. Finally, a new heat treatment process will ensure your wedge stands the test of time, saving you money as well as shots. It is a model that came oh so close to a full five star rating, with the looks holding it back just a touch. But overall the ZipCore model delivers excellent forgiveness and control on full shots and around the green. In particular, golfers who rely on playing flop shots or other similarly delicate chips will love the lob wedge

• Read our full Cleveland RTX ZipCore Full-Face Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

A model that also features in our guide to the most forgiving wedges (opens in new tab), Cleveland’s CBX Full Face delivers loads of spin from a variety of strike locations. It comes in a versatile C-Shape sole grind that makes it an excellent option from a variety of positions golfers might find themselves in on the course. If you’ve never used a full-face wedge before, it may take some getting used to but it’ll be worth it. After all, we amateurs don’t hit the middle of the club on demand, so the extra margin for error will come in handy. 

The high toe also helps massively to improve consistency out of bunkers, meaning if you're looking to put one of the best sand wedges (opens in new tab) on the market in your bag, then this might be a great option to consider. On fuller shots, the premium-looking dark finish looks great over the ball and reduces glare. Meanwhile the Zip grooves, combined with Cleveland’s Rotex-milled face, deliver outstanding levels of traction and control.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX Full-Face Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

The second iteration of Cleveland's CBX wedge has been designed with a clear objective - to provide more spin, control and forgiveness for the everyday player. And I think this has been achieved thanks to several pieces of technology: the Rotex Face Technology that provides sharp grooves and more spin; a Hollow-Cavity design to improve forgiveness; and Cleveland's Face-Balancing Technology to enhance feel.

At address, the larger profile inspires confidence, especially on full shots, without looking chunky. Admittedly the finish options are limited to just the one, but the satin chrome offering does bolster the premium appeal. Additionally the clubhead feels very stable at impact, controlling both direction and distance consistency admirably on slightly mis-struck full shots. The wide sole design increases forgiveness on the strike and is especially helpful from the sand too.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge Review (opens in new tab)

How we test

When it comes to wedges, we take the testing process (opens in new tab) very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put everything through its paces to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good wedge. As far as our methodology goes, we review all wedges properly, which means we have used each one across multiple rounds and in practice to assess every aspect of performance in all conditions. If a wedge claims to be the ultimate bunker club, we will test that theory from any and all lies possible. 

Specific to the best Cleveland wedges, we tested those with and without full faces to assess how spin differed relative to strike. We were also keen to find out the forgiveness on offer from each model, as well as the feel and distance control. We all know new wedges are going to generate more spin, but it's important that a golfer is also able to flight it how they like and hit their numbers consistently. This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to wedges as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all gear categories.

What to consider when buying a new wedge

The importance of having a good wedge in your bag that you are comfortable playing with is something that shouldn't be overlooked. As the saying goes, wedges are your scoring clubs and playing well with your chipper can be the difference between a good and bad round. But manufacturers do cram a lot of technology into the wedges they're producing and this can sometimes make finding the right wedge for you an overwhelming decision. But don't fret. We've set out below several key considerations you should keep in mind when buying your next wedge. 

1. Gapping

Measure your current wedge yardages and how often you are in between clubs to help decide if you need to carry extra options. This is an important part of your bag setup to get right across the entire bag too, because knowing your gaps can allow you to fill out your bag correctly whether that be carrying two, three, or four wedges, which can then impact how many clubs you can carry at the top of the bag. The opposite is true as well. We have also created a guide on the best gap wedges (opens in new tab) as well so check that out for more information.

2. Bounce 

Low bounce wedges are more suited to hard fairways and tight lies, while high bounce wedges are better for softer ground conditions and bunkers. The most bounce you will ever see on a wedge is about 18°, but it can be as low as 2°. The type of bounce you opt for should largely depend on things like your normal angle of attack, the firmness of your fairways and the type of shots you like to hit around the greens.

3. Finish 

Options like black PVD and copper are becoming increasingly common. The difference is mainly cosmetic, but dark finishes can help reduce glare. Alternatively there are classic chrome and silver designs as you can see above. 

4. Grooves

While grooves are now tightly regulated, it is still well worth keeping up to date with the latest designs, which use new milling processes and groove shapes to help move water and dirt away from the ball at impact to create extra spin and improve control. Additionally there are several brands that have brought out wedges with grooves that stretch across the entire face. Admittedly this does take a little bit of time to get used to, but for those players who may struggle with strike, a full faced wedge might do you some favors when creating spin towards the toe.

5. Forgiveness

Depending on your experience level and how much you play with your greenside clubs, wedge shots can still be some of the hardest shots to hit. We've all been there when we've struck a brilliant shot down the fairway and ruined our hole by chunking a simple pitch into the green. So understanding the level of forgiveness you need in your chipper is paramount. Some clubs offer a little more forgiveness than others, like the cavity-backed CBX offerings above and they can also help to inspire confidence when you're stood over the ball. 

But Cleveland aren't the only brand in the industry that are innovating to produce high-quality wedges. If you're looking to see what other brands have on offer, then why not check out our guide to the best Callaway wedges (opens in new tab) too!

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