When it comes to wedges in the golf industry, few brands carry as much weight as Cleveland. They have a rich history of crafting timeless designs that are widely recognized. One aspect that sets Cleveland apart is that they design wedges for golfers of all skill levels, perhaps more than any other major golf company. They offer an extensive range suitable for everyone, from professional golfers on the PGA Tour to those who play only a few times a year. The RTX 6 and the new RTX Full Face 2 are excellent choices for the advanced player, while the mid-handicap player might gravitate toward the newly introduced CBX 4. Cleveland’s Smart Sole lineup targets the casual golfer who gets to practice or play sparingly. Today, we focus on the latter as the Smart Sole lineup receives an update, including a new model in the Smart Sole Full-Face collection.

These new Smart Sole Full-Face wedges are said to be Cleveland’s largest and most forgiving wedges ever introduced to the market. With some improved shaping and the inclusion of a full-face design, the hitting areas on these wedges are 46% larger than the Smart Sole 4 wedges. Cleveland also incorporated several top-shelf technologies into this new Smart Sole line so that Smart Sole players can see the same benefits as an RTX 6 player.
It’s undeniable that the best technology that has been introduced in Cleveland wedges in the past year is the HydraZip face technology. HydraZip is a unique combination of laser-milled lines and a dynamic face blast, proven to help retain spin regardless of whether one is playing in wet or dry conditions. With the help of UltiZip grooves, each club gains deeper, sharper, and tighter grooves for more control and consistency. During Cleveland’s testing, Smart Sole Full-Face with HydraZip produced 17% more spin during dry toe contact and 484% more spin-on-toe contact in wet conditions versus the previous generation.

Wedges are designed to offer versatility, allowing golfers to play shots with the face slightly open or shut. However, with the Smart Sole line, most shots are intended to be taken with a neutral or square face. Cleveland has added white paint fill to the bottom two grooves of each club to aid in this regard. The bottom groove is slightly wider than a golf ball, making it easier to line up with the ball centered. Meanwhile, the top groove has a more extended reach and serves as a visual cue to determine if the face is square behind the ball or altered in any direction.
Every club has been upgraded with a three-tiered sole design, offering more bounce at the leading edge. This additional bounce helps prevent the clubs from digging, making the strike more stable and increasing forgiveness. Nobody wants to fear that dreaded chunked shot around the green; with this sole design, you won’t have to.

There are four models in the Smart Sole Full-Face club series by Cleveland, each designed to suit a specific short-game shot encountered by golfers during their rounds. Below is a brief description of each model and its intended use.
Chipper
A signature club in the Smart Sole lineup, this club comes in 42° of loft and is made for those chips and longer bump and run shots. In the past, some golfers have even tackled long pitch shots with Cleveland’s chipper model.

Gap Wedge
The gap wedge was a new update in the previous generation and again found its way into the lineup. With a wide sole and 50° of loft, it’s an excellent option for full and partial swings.

Sand Wedge
Bunker shots often give players fits, but with this 58° wedge, they got a bit easier. Once again, the wide three-tiered sole sets this wedge up to play with a straighter face, helping to create sand shots that come out high and land soft.

Lob Wedge
Introducing the latest addition to the Smart Sole family, designed to tackle the challenging lob shots that golfers often encounter. The L model combines 64° of loft with full-face grooves and a wide tri-level sole, making it easier for golfers to execute this tricky shot.

Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face wedges launch today with a price tag of $139.99. Every club in the lineup is available for both right and left-handed golfers. More information on all of Cleveland’s new wedges is available at www.us.dunlopsports.com/cleveland-golf.
Anyone had the loft bent on these? I’m thinking 2* strong on not the S & L.
[QUOTE=”FatChance, post: 12277499, member: 52130″]
My preliminary thoughts are that the Smart Sole C chipper and S sandwedge are both incredible and have a place in my bag. The L lob wedge can be very useful and I have used it in some particular situations and it is easier to hit than any lob wedge I have ever used and will stay in my bag until something else tickles my fancy but, it is not nearly as useful as the 58* S sandwedge that is really awesome. We’re playing again tomorrow, but after a half dozen rounds so far, that is my current thought.
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About a month with both the S & L. The L has been fantastic out of short sided bunkers (more reps than I care to admit). Otherwise, I can’t think of anything the L can do that the S can’t, and the L has cost me far more strokes than the S.
To the ones using the G and S, did you bend the S strong a couple degrees or leave it at 58?
Just added the C into my bag and I think it will stay for awhile.
The L is automatic and has a permanent spot in my bag. I feel 100% confident in getting anything within 30 yards up and down with ease, no matter the lie. As much as I’d like to be, I am not a fan of the C and would prefer to fly the ball to a spot vs. play the bump and run the C is more suited for.
My friend got one of the L wedges and I got to hit a few shots with it. Seemed to work as intended – easy flops with a square face. He has the S wedge too, and if I was going to play this style of wedge I almost think I’d go with the L first over the S
I love my C.
What shots are you hitting with the L? Chips or pitches? Wrist hinge or not? Traditional flop release with a square face?
I want to love it so much. And yet…
How’s the 8* gap between the G and S working out for those of you who play both?
Recently I had to go to a blade 58 for versatility and shelve the 64 because I needed the slot to fix a gapping issue further up. I miss it and may opt to drop the Burner Mini if I keep hitting the big driver well.
The C seemed grabbier off the face and softer than the prior version so I took advantage of some Fathers Day deals and flipped into the new version. Excited to get it going.
I have been struggling mightily with the short game this season, and on a whim I started with the Chipper. After a few practice sessions and some rounds on course I’m really enjoying it and seeing the benefits. I use it more than I’d think – punching out under trees, approach shots <60 yards from the fairway, and the usual bump and runs. The shorter shots with it are trickier for me – for whatever reason my strike gets worse the shorter and lower force the shot is.
I’m interested in the s or l I love my 54 cbx great purchase but this past weekend I struggle wasn’t the club I call it narly sticky grass and the fringes was sticky I usually putt but everything was differnt around greens and not much grass if I got grass I’m fine so I’m thinking May need to try one of these just need it around the green I’m bump and run guy sounds like you can with these but with height again I’m a firm believer in 54 cbx and really believe always be but just need something and not sure what just got to decide which one s or l I use the 54 out of the bunker thanks for all the information I’ll let you know which one I buy when I started looking at these was for a chipper but have changed my mind I order the chipper and sand be fun next week testing them out
I got the c and s today fun clubs chipper does what it says just have to be careful not to run by need some practice and the s is so easy to use bump and runs or go high didn’t get to try it out of sand wanted to do more practice but course was busy everyone in my way ha I like to try the g as well the chipper around the green was good as advertise but like to have a little more loft less speed I really believe I need the g I need something for lies I’m not comfortable with my cbx 54 I’m just always searching for something anyone have the g can tell me about bump and runs around the green and pitches thanks
This iteration of the C is miles better than the last one, imho. The feel is improve, it seems to spin more consistently on the green when releasing, and the lines are more refined in the bag.
Admittedly any club looks good when you put four chips collectively about 3 feet from the hole.
If you are one that struggles at all with chipping, or maybe has a couple of fairway woods/long clubs with a bunch of overlap, the ease of use of the C is worth a look.
Anyone who has hybrid irons still go for the SS clubs? The hybrid irons have so much chipping forgiveness, it seems hard to believe the SS clubs will help that much more. But, always curious, especially the C.
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 12473492, member: 44136″]
Anyone who has hybrid irons still go for the SS clubs? The hybrid irons have so much chipping forgiveness, it seems hard to believe the SS clubs will help that much more. But, always curious, especially the C.
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I have the Launcher HB irons as well as the SS Chipper, Gap wedge and Sand wedge. I tested the set PW and GW vs the SS version at a PGA Superstore a few years ago. They were pretty close in forgiveness but the SS felt a little more forgiving on mishits. The biggest advantage for me was the wider sole on the SS. I have low point control issues and tend to hit the ground before the ball. The wider soles of the SS clubs minimized chunking. The Chipper is another animal. I don’t think you can really compare chipping with it to a traditional club. It is probably my favorite club. It’s much easier to chip with than a regular club. The weight is heavier, lie is more upright and it’s a little shorter. And a very wide/deep sole. Just take a simple putting swing. I even use it with a 3/4 swing up to like 100 yards. As with everything YMMV. I’m an 18ish HDCP so a good ball striker would probably be fine with a 7 iron to chip. Definitely worth a try.
[QUOTE=”Carolina Golfer, post: 12473492, member: 44136″]
Anyone who has hybrid irons still go for the SS clubs? The hybrid irons have so much chipping forgiveness, it seems hard to believe the SS clubs will help that much more. But, always curious, especially the C.
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Have the G wedge with the S wedge on order. Mine have the dark finish. Love the G wedge. I like to carry only 2 wedges myself. Had the S wedge bent 2 degrees strong to play at 56*. It hasn’t arrived yet should be here any day hopefully.
From those who have had hands on both – is there a difference between the S and L other than loft? Does the S have more bounce or a difference grind? From looking at images online they look the same.
I’m currently upgrading my 18yr old r7 irons with JPX Hot Metals, and the stronger lofts have got me a little confused as to how to round out the bottom end of my bag (I ordered 6i to GW). Was thinking of adding 52 and 56 deg wedges that are more suitable for full swings (prob CTX), and then maybe still adding a specialty like the smart sole as my short game is terrible… If very similar I might just try for the best of both worlds and get the S custom to 60deg.
if anyone had the L and wants to part with it, hit me up. Want to give this one a spin
These might be the most underrated clubs ever. Probably due to the stigma surrounding them.
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12800982, member: 50607″]
These might be the most underrated clubs ever. Probably due to the stigma surrounding them.
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I love my smart sole chipper. Just makes things easy
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12800982, member: 50607″]
These might be the most underrated clubs ever. Probably due to the stigma surrounding them.
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I bought a Smart Sole Full Face 64* right before the season ended and it replaced my Smart Sole C 4.0 in the bag. I just got done playing a sim rd and nearly dunked one with it for eagle. little 50 yd shot left on a short par 4 and took something off of it and it hit right in front of the pin, rolled toward the cup and with what looked like 2 inches to go it decides to zip back on me, and ends up at a foot. Birdie
[QUOTE=”Thrillbilly Jim, post: 12800982, member: 50607″]
These might be the most underrated clubs ever. Probably due to the stigma surrounding them.
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they are crazy fun. I put the C in my wife’s bag late into the season and we have a blast using it around the green.