Cleveland RTX 4 Tour Raw Wedge
Who’s It For
When it comes to the new RTX 4, Cleveland has made it clear in its marketing efforts that these are tour-inspired wedges that have been designed with better players in mind. And that can be easily seen upon first inspection when it comes to the lack of offset and compact shape. For higher-handicappers who are looking for more forgiveness, CBX or Smart Sole wedges from Cleveland would probably be better options. But for low- and mid-handicap players, RTX 4 will offer an impressive combination of spin, control, and feel. Of course, what’s key for golfers is to pick the right sole grinds for their game, and Cleveland is offering four grind options in the RTX 4 line. The Low and Mid grinds will offer players what they have typically seen from one- and two-dot wedges from Cleveland in the past. More specifically, the Low grind is a low-bounce option that features a C-shaped sole. It has been designed for players with shallow angles of attack who like to open the face to play shots around the green, and it will work especially well from firmer turf and sand conditions. The Mid grind, meanwhile, will suit a wide array of players as a mid-bounce option, and it utilizes a V Sole shape to provide exceptional turf interaction. It excels on full shots played with a straight face but is also versatile enough to play shots around the green with an open face, and it will fare well from average to softer turf and sand conditions. Cleveland is also offering two new grinds in the RTX 4 lineup, the Full grind and the XLow grind. The Full Grind is a mid-bounce option that was designed for players with steeper angles of attack and to excel from softer turf and sand, as well as thick rough. Unique about the Full grind is that as players open the face, effective bounce is added to allow the wedge to play as more of a high-bounce option around the green. And finally, the XLow grind, as the name would suggest, offers just three degrees of bounce. It will excel for shot-makers who want to open the face to play various shots from firm conditions around the green and for those with extremely shallow swing characteristics.
The Tech Story
“Tour Authentic” are the words that Cleveland has chosen to describe its new RTX 4 wedges, and not surprisingly these are wedges that were created based on significant Tour feedback. And that process started with a new shape when compared to the RTX 3 wedges, as RTX 4 features a more compact blade regardless of loft and noticeably less offset. There’s also plenty of new technology that has been implemented into the RTX 4 design, beyond the four unique sole grinds discussed above. More specifically, lower lofted models feature straighter leading edges to excel on full shots, while higher lofted models have more of a rounded leading edge to make it easier for players to open the clubface without feeling as if they’re aiming way right (for the right-handed player). The lower lofted wedges also have a shape that will blend more seamlessly with players irons while the higher lofted wedges have a more traditional wedge shape. RTX 4 also features Cleveland’s fourth generation Rotex clubface, which utilizes the most aggressive laser milling and sharpest Tour Zip grooves that the company has ever produced to maximize spin. Additionally, Cleveland has improved upon the Feel Balancing Technology it introduced in RTX 3 by getting the CG even closer to the center of the clubface in RTX 4, with the result being improved feel at impact and better distance dispersion on full shots. Also of note, the CG position has also been optimized based on loft to make it easier for players to control ball flight with higher lofted wedges, giving them the lower-launching, higher-spinning wedge trajectory that better players crave. There are three finishes available in the RTX 4 wedge line: the Tour Satin, Black Satin, and Tour Raw, each of which offers more sheen and improved versatility when compared to RTX 3. And finally, completing the package is the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shaft, which is the No. 1 wedge shaft played on Tour.
Facts and Figures
- Available Lofts: 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, and 64 degrees
- Finish Options: Tour Satin, Black Satin, Tour Raw
- PW (46-48 degrees) Stock Length: 35 5/8 inches
- GW (50-52 degrees) Stock Length: 35 7/16 inches
- SW (54-56 degrees) Stock Length: 35 3/16 inches
- LW (58-64 degrees) Stock Length: 34 7/8 inches
- Lie Angle: 64 degrees
- PW Swing Weight: D3
- GW Swing Weight: D4
- SW/LW Swing Weight: D5
- Low Grind: Low Bounce
- Mid Grind: Mid Bounce
- Full Grind: Mid Bounce
- XLow Grind: Low Bounce
- Stock Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
- Stock Shaft: Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
- Tour Raw and some Black Satin models available in right-hand only
Quotable
“With the new RTX 4, we spared no expense in trying to achieve the best possible wedge for the best players in the world, and then bring that wedge to the consumer. We worked tirelessly with our Tour staff to refine every detail of the wedge and its shape to fit their needs.” -- John Rae, Vice President at Cleveland Golf
Get Fit
2nd Swing Golf offers professional, tour-level club fitting at all of its retail locations, as well as a knowledgeable customer service staff that can help answer questions related to fitting. For fitting questions, please call 612-216-4152, and for more information about 2nd Swing’s custom fitting services, locations, and staff, click here (http://fitting.2ndswing.info/).