Cleveland Golf has a storied history of making some of the most well-regarded wedges in the game. While they have made plenty of designs geared towards the more skilled or tour player, they also have not forgotten about the golfer who needs a little extra assistance with their short game. For those players, the Smart Sole line has been an attractive option. Even though the Smart Sole 4 series has been out for some time now, the designs remain very effective. Therefore, Cleveland hasn’t needed to rush in a revamped design. With no significant renovations planned, they are announcing a simple upgrade the looks of the Smart Sole 4 wedges.

Smart Sole 4 wedges were previously only available in classic satin chrome, but now golfers can enjoy these specialized wedges in Cleveland’s stunning Black Satin finish. Black Satin helps make these wedges look sleeker and more stylish and helps reduce the glare golfers might encounter on those picture-perfect sunny days.

Cleveland has a history of offering different finishes post-launch to keep wedge models feeling fresh. We’ve seen this release model recently with their CBX line, RTX ZipCore wedges, and most recently, with the addition of the Satin Black RTX Full Face wedges.

For those unfamiliar with the Smart Sole 4 series, these wedges offer three distinct designs to help golfers achieve peace of mind on specific short game shots. Full swings and pitch shots are suited for the G, while the S uses a wide sole to help boost confidence from greenside bunkers. Meanwhile, the C model is reminiscent of the old Cleveland Niblick and excels at basic chip shots.

Cleveland Smart Sole 4 Black Satin wedges are an excellent option for the higher handicap golfer or the player who doesn’t get a chance to practice their short game as often as they like. Each club offers a simplified, straightforward approach to the ever-important shots around the green.
More information on the Smart Sole 4 Black Satin wedges is available at www.clevelandgolf.com.
The Details
Available: March 4, 2022
Price: $119.99 (Steel) $129.99 (Graphite)
Lofts: 42° (Chipper), 50° (Gap Wedge), 58° (Sand Wedge)
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As of yesterday, I have been gaming the Smart Sole C for a week, playing 36-holes and practicing with it at a nearby Pitch and Putt. My practice session was "interesting" as there was a steady strong wind with gusts up to 40 mph. As for actual play, the club is great! I have hit a total of 11 short game shots with an average proximity to the pin of 15 ft and an up and down percentage of 36%. Additionally, last night the club worked great for a 39 yard pitch back to the fairway to recover from a wayward drive. It is a "keeper" for sure
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What did Jen and Gavin think of it?
They actually taught me how to use it a little better. I hit a few close with it so Gavin was a fan of that. I don’t foresee them putting one in the bag though.
They actually taught me how to use it a little better and when/where is the best place to use it. I don’t foresee them bagging one in the near future…..
Sounds interesting….please expand
Nothing groundbreaking. Just to make sure i was using it in the correct situation and take my time reading the green. I was using it too much and not taking my time with all the fundamentals. Common sense stuff that I don’t always think about.
I like it off the hard pan. Gives me confidence to hit down into the ball, getting rid of the thins, but knowing there is not a chance I’ll bury it. I don’t really use the S for full swings. Goes too high for my tastes. Probably not too high in the overall sense but higher than my normal which messes with my head.
Ok, appreciate the feedback…. honest to God… I’ve been staring at the Mazel chipper I bought years ago and thinking about putting it in the bag. My game 30 yards and in is costing me easily 5-10 strokes a round between thinning on hard pan and duffing a couple feet from the rough.
And yes, those are parts of my game I’m working on, but I don’t have a course nearby with a practice facility that lets me works on those things.
Anytime. Honestly my biggest issue is I get loose with my focus, thinking the sole will save me.
Do you have any space to hit foam balls into a net at home? I’ve even hit them off carpet into the couch, try to hit the face for a lower runner and loft it up into the back of the couch for something a little higher. It won’t help judge distance much but might help you get more consistent with strike.
I have a golf sim in my garage, and I do work with it…. the problem is I don’t get the feedback in it (for me) on those half swings. I probably need to hit about 10000 more, I know, but want some short term scoring relief. ?
Have had the C for about 3 weeks. 10 rounds an$ a couple of practice sessions. Seems like I am significantly short 75% of time. When I try to hit harder it is a skull. I am using a putting type stroke, weight on left. The club is heavy but struggling on enough distance.
I didn’t grab a photo, but here is the conditions I was dealing with
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Moist
Yep. We get like that a good bit in the Midwest in spring. Honestly it’s the reason I grabbed the smart sole. No way those clubs are digging.
What do you currently have? They have the smart sole 4 C chipper
If you have a chipper, and want Clevelands version of a chipper then you’ll want the the Smart Sole C which is 42*.
They also have the Smart Sole G and S which are more normal Gap and Sand Wedges with large soles to prevent digging.
All 3 are nice, but if its a chipper you are after that is the Smart Sole C.
If you want any pics, just let me know as I game one.
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Someone is trading them in. A few Smart Sole 3s have just been listed today. Even better price.
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I believe they are the chrome finish but mine should be coming in soon since they just shipped mine out today. This is based on the description they have for their trade in where they do list the black satin version separately. I’ll post pics once they arrive.
The chipper I got was chrome but the SW I got was satin black. Also the shaft on the chipper was graphite instead of steel. Going to test them out. Can’t really complain since they were $58 each and still in decent condition in my opinion.View attachment 9172936View attachment 9172937
Same here.
I had ordered a Niblick knockoff Chipper in 49* thinking I needed more loft than the Smart Sole C. But it never made the bag.
I do have to pick my spots with the Smart Sole C. For a shorter chip I find my 56* wedge more accurate when I need to really play a touch shot.
But for a longer chip or chip way across the green I like the Smart Sole C.
Also probably my favorite shot to play with it is when I have a shot say 15-60 yds out with no trouble in front of me and the ground is pretty level. I take what feels like a long putting stroke and just bump and run it on. Seems to get me pretty close. Or closer than I would be with a normal wedge.
Mine is staying put too. Put a medium grip on it to make it feel a bit more putter like.
Do you bump it on from that range or carry it all the way to the green ?
The halo 9 iron is very similar.
I could see that. And yeah, a more standard 9 iron could do the job, but it can get diggy when conditions get gross
Just a bit too much flare going on on the back.
Would be cool to see more loft offerings in the chipper style shape. Although after having many of the Niblicks lofts the 42* kinda makes the most sense if you only end up using one of them. At least after playing the Smart Sole C for 2 seasons now. It seems like the sweet spot loft for me. I have a 49* in a Niblick knockoff and don’t care for it as much. Gets a little too much height for me.
The big sole being the flare? or all the little shaping and cut outs they do?