Sometimes revolutionary can be familiar too. In recent years, few have put as much emphasis and effort into improving the balance and performance of their wedges than Cleveland Golf. To many on the THP community and well beyond, the RTX4 was the most complete wedge out there, so a refresh would have been more than acceptable.
But that isn’t what Cleveland Golf does.
If you have seen the teasers that the company put up the past week, then you’ve gotten a taste of what’s coming, and believe me, this is impressive. You know what though? When you are willing to take something that’s already great all the way down to its core, literally, then it had better be.
This is the RTX ZipCore.
Taking it to the Core
Cleveland themselves are describing the new RTX ZipCore as “radically new and ultra-familiar”, essentially new, yet classic. From the images of the back of the club, we all see a shape that comes with that familiarity which Cleveland is referring, albeit, with a little more modern aesthetic in how the text is placed on the club and a revamp of the loft font. However, the aesthetics aren’t the story here, Cleveland knows they had a wedge in the RTX4 that was fantastic in that area, but to find improvements they decided to look for an inside to out solution. This meant the change they sought was at the core, and I mean that legitimately.
ZipCore
While not the only story in this release, being the namesake of the new wedge means it definitely gets lead billing. If you saw the teasers, then you know there has clearly been some internal work done on the new RTX wedges, and that is exactly at the core of ZipCore.
What you were seeing there, is a low-density core which has allowed Cleveland to shift the center of gravity even more than they have in the past. Yes, they have gone hard on marketing the CG change before, and they acknowledge that, but they also realize that there was more they could do. To be able to shift both the balance and the shape how they wanted, it was necessary to find a way to alter the core balance, so using a proprietary material which Cleveland only explains as being “extremely lightweight, yet strong” they carved out an internal spoon shaped section from the hosel into the heel and used this compound to fill it.
What this all ends up meaning is better balance, higher moment of inertia, more spin, more control, and more shots likely to strike the sweet spot and thus yield better results. Also, for those of you wondering, Cleveland promised that this new ZipCore and the material they’re using won’t sacrifice or compromise the feel either, which will most definitely be interesting to test out because this is one of the most outside the box design features we have ever seen in wedges.
Beyond the Core
Clearly you can see why so much attention is being given to the ZipCore design feature, but if you know Cleveland Golf, then you know they aren’t going to stop there. Rounding out the evolution of the RTX is the focus on improving spin and durability.
For spin, it’s no surprise that you need to look to the face of things. Cleveland, who have long ridden the wave of ROTEX, have gone back to the design board in a big way. More spin? How about more grooves? How about better grooves? How about UltiZip?
Yes, the name is, well, unique. But, based on what Cleveland is touting, it might not be all that hard to get down with. These grooves have the sharpest edge radius ever, and the deepest, meaning more spin and more control in all conditions. The depth funnels away the debris more efficiently, but the key, according to Cleveland, is that they have also moved the grooves closer together, which allowed them to add two more grooves as well. Why is that important? More grooves mean more of the ball contacting them with each shot, and that means more bite. For the fans of hard numbers, all this comes out to grooves that Cleveland says are 11% sharper, 7.3% deeper, 7.4% closer, and 7.2% more groove contact at impact.
Grooves are great, but grooves that are more durable are even better. The last thing Cleveland has addressed with the RTX ZipCore was just that, durability. How though? The answer they have arrived at is utilizing heat treatment of each and every wedge. By heating the 8620-carbon steel wedge they’ve found the material is altered, in a good way, removing impurities, aligning the grain, and just generating an all around more durable wedge.
Rounding it all out, Cleveland is plugging the all new Tour Issue Dynamic Gold Spinner wedges shaft and finishing it with a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360, both impressive components. The RTX ZipCore will be available in lofts from 46° to 62° with three specific grind options, Low (C-Grind), Mid (V-Sole), and Full. Additionally, it’s worth noting that upon the initial release the classic Cleveland satin will be the only finish available, but Black Satin and Raw finishes are coming later this year.
The Details
Available: 8/14/20
Price: $149.99
Finish: Tour Satin (Black Satin and Raw later)
Lofts: 46°-62°
Grinds: Low (56°-62°), Mid (46°-60°), Full (54°-60°)
Also, stay tuned till tomorrow as we are going to have a bunch of THPers have a chance to join me in testing them.
Appreciate the kind words!
Will be really interesting to see the spin numbers and accuracy of the reviews once out.
Just a preview/release, review to come….
Looks like another product you’re going to talk me into adding to the bag!!
Oh and I did not overlook the return of the spinner shaft! I have been waiting for this one!
Did I read correctly that both the Black and Raw would be available later? Or was that just the Raw?
Both will be coming later.
Great preview and I’ll be excited to read the reviews once some guys get them in hand and on course.
Is it just me or is the look very P790-esque?
In the pics I can see that because of the "band" around the ZipCore and font.
Great write up and introduction. I love Cleveland wedges and these are no exception. I also appreciate the price point compared to some others. Looks like Cleveland continues to shine. Looking forward to reviews.
So seeing this and reading about the Zipcore I can’t help but wonder if this technology might be the start of getting forgiving blade irons down the line. That’s basically what Cleveland is doing here is making a blade, then boring a hole, then filling it with a high density low weight resin of some sort. It will be interesting to see where Cleveland and the inevitable copycats take this tech.
That was what caught my eye and my mind went straight to P790.
The tech sounds really good and helpful for any skill golfer.
Will there be comparisons between Cleveland’s other offerings in the review? The RTX 4, CBX 2, Smart Sole 4’s… I’m interested to know how these new RTX Zipcores compare to them in terms of hittability (Is that a word?) and forgiveness.
I figure it would be too much to ask for comparisons to Vokey, Glide, Jaws, Mack Daddy, etc…
The most important question I have is: how do the RTX Zipcores handle for a high handicap player with a crappy short game?
I thought the same thing. I think the satin color plus the bolded black lettering and font remind me alot of the P790’s.
Agreed. Got to think it’s because of the pandemic. Feel like they’ve never delayed the Black before. Could be wrong though.
I would say that is pretty accurate.
I have the Satin here and absolutely love the look. Then again, I am playing Satin irons and they blend so nicely.
The picture posted, they look incredibly sharp! No complaints for sure.
It’s bad for me because they are in one of these boxes and I need to find them before golf. It will happen today.
I should have a pretty good writeup in here coming up too.
I love the look of black wedges, but I love the look of a blended set better, so I usually lean Satin. These give me no reason not to, as I think they have a very good look to them.
Wife letting you get out for golf before the house is unpacked? I guess it’s your job…I def chose the wrong profession!
Cant wait to read it. Yours and @Jman thoughts.
My thoughts exactly! They look good though
I just like the darker finish on wedges, do you know if the dark finish will be similar to prior Cleveland finishes, or will it be like the dark finish on the BH Equalizer wedges (which holds up better)?
It will be similar to Cleveland finishes of the past I believe. Which outside of DBM, I still think holds up the best of the major OEMs. I know Cobra and Hogan use the DBM finish, which is more chemical reaction and does not wear much at all.