In the Groove(s): Cleveland's ZipCore Wedges

By: Michael Geiger, 2nd Swing Product Expert

While Cleveland Golf tends to fly under the radar relative to other golf brands, the company has quietly built a reputation over the past 30 years as one of the finest wedge manufacturers in the industry.

The gold standard in Cleveland’s stable of wedges is their critically acclaimed and commercially successful RTX line. One of the newest releases from this line, the RTX ZipCore wedges, launched in North America last August.

The RTX ZipCore Wedges feature several innovations that will help golfers of all handicaps save strokes both around the green and from the fairway. 

First and foremost, the technology that lies at the literal heart of these clubs is ZipCore, a low-density material that has radically improved the wedge’s performance. This lightweight core allowed Cleveland’s engineers to reposition the weight of the clubhead around the perimeter of the face to optimize MOI and lower the center of gravity. The result of these changes for the golfer is more consistency, distance, feel, and consistency.

Another addition to Cleveland’s RTX ZipCore wedges is the new Ultizip Grooves. These grooves are the deepest and sharpest ever produced by the manufacturer and help the club cut through grass and sand extremely efficiently. The ZipCore wedges also sport two extra grooves on the clubface relative to previous models, which leads to more spin and control.

Many golfers struggle to know exactly when their wedges are worn out and due for a replacement. Thanks to a timed burst of heat during the RTX ZipCore forging process, Cleveland’s newest wedges are free of impurities, making them some of the most durable clubs on the market.

The ZipCore wedges are available in several different loft and grind options. The first grind option is the Low Sole grind. The Low Sole has six degrees of bounce and features relief on the heel, toe, and trailing edge for superior versatility around the greens. This option is ideal for highly-skilled wedge players looking for versatility and a grind that allows them to open up the face on firm turf. The Low Sole is available in the 56, 58, 60, and 62-degree lofts.

The Mid Sole grind boasts 10 degrees of bounce and is aimed at the golfer with a neutral to steep attack angle who desires full shot stability. The Mid Sole sports trailing edge relief and keeps the leading edge low on open-face shots. This sole is available in the 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62-degree lofts. 

The final grind option for Cleveland’s ZipCore wedges is the Full Sole. With 12 degrees of bounce, this is the most forgiving of the three sole options and provides tremendous stability when getting the ball out of bunkers or deep rough. The Full Sole is available in the 54, 56, 58, and 60-degree lofts.

Cleveland’s engineers managed to walk the fine line of adding new technology to the RTX ZipCores without having to sacrifice the classic and aesthetically pleasing look the company’s wedges are famous for.

While the new clubs have received praise from major champions like Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell, the RTX ZipCore wedges were not designed solely for the low-handicap golfer. All players, no matter their skill level, will find something to love about Cleveland’s newest wedges.