Cleveland Golf CBZ Wedge Review

[Jman]

Are you a short game wizard? The type of player which demands maximum versatility in order to command the highest level of precision into and around the greens? The safe bet for most of us mere mortals kicking it around our local courses and muni’s is the answer to that is a pretty quick no. […]

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[TWright]

Nice writeup @Jman, the CBZ wedges look really nice.

 

[1860VS]

I was looking at the RTZ yesterday at Carls. On the next rack were the CBZ. It would appear from casual observation that in both lines the soles are narrower and more versatile than they were a couple generations ago. I play Srixon irons and am familiar with the V Sole, and it works very well for my high spin, steep, ditch digging swing. I dont recall my RTX's having a V sole, but may well be mistaken. But the sole was so wide and cumbersome they ended up on the rack. Ill have to look tonight. I still have a set of first gen CBX's, and the sole sure looks better to me now...

 

[GolfSquatch]

Great write-up, @Jman.


I’ve been a Cleveland CB loyalist for about two years now, and it would take a small army to get me to give up my Cleveland CB wedges.


After some initial conversations about these, I couldn’t resist comparing the new CBZ line to the CBX ZipCores I had been using, and the CBZ definitely doesn’t let the line down. Shot consistency and feel both saw noticeable gains with the Z-Alloy upgrade, and forgiveness, as always, is unparalleled.


I’ve been running a fairly standard setup with a 50° and 54°, along with a full-face 60°. I normally avoid full swings with my 60°, but over the last couple of weeks, I’ve been experimenting more, and the CBZ forgiveness makes even full 60° swings come off with ease.


To me, the Cleveland CB line—and specifically the CBZ—is basically a cheat code for wedges. I plan to continue testing the new CBZ this winter and have some plans for a more direct head-to-head comparison against my CBX wedges in the coming weeks. I’ve got some Project X Catalyst Spinner 80 shaft pulls on the way in the new year, which should make it an even fight between the two wedge sets.

If you are looking for a more forgiving wedge game, especially if you are a slower swing speed player who needs to take full swings with your wedges, make sure to give the CBZ line a try.

 

[Coulter]

These are sooooo clean!

And the spin loss is negligible, really great stuff from Cleveland!

 

[Papa 3-Putts]

CB wedges are always something I consider when looking at building out a wedge setup, mostly because I don't use my GW and SW around the green - they are almost exclusively used for full and flighted approach shots - so why wouldn't I want that little touch of added forgiveness?

Cleveland has sort of blazed the trail on this over the last several years, with Mizuno and Cobra being the only other two I can think of who currently offer great CB wedges.

Great article, @Jman

 

[GolfSquatch]

These are sooooo clean!

And the spin loss is negligible, really great stuff from Cleveland!

Yes, if you struggle with wedge play, this is the move. It simplifies things but still gives you room to grow, and you have a comparable feel in the RTZ to transtion too if you "outgrow" the CB line

 

[Coulter]

Yes, if you struggle with wedge play, this is the move. It simplifies things but still gives you room to grow, and you have a comparable feel in the RTZ to transtion too if you "outgrow" the CB line

Do you really outgrow them though? I mean what shots can you take with the RTZ that you can’t with the CBZ?

 

[Mayor McCheese]

The CBZ looks really good at address! I love having a CB wedge at the gap spot, and it looks like this would be an excellent option

 

[GolfSquatch]

Do you really outgrow them though? I mean what shots can you take with the RTZ that you can’t with the CBZ?

To me its when you stop taking full swings. The funny thing is I was getting there with the 60 and had stopped using it full swing regularly, but with the full face and with the new CBZ I find the 60 for 80 yard as a full swing for me is being a bit more realizable then a 3/4 54 or 1/2 50 which are my other options for that.

I always see the full benefit of CB tech coming in the full swing

 

[JTinMO]

Good article @Jman ! I appreciate the data table inclusion and comparison.

While I haven’t jumped into trying the CBZ wedges, I do have 5 CBX wedges in the backup stash. I expect the CBZ are better, to be honest. I really want to give these a try in 2026.

Cleveland does not miss here. You give up very little going to these wedges, unless you need some super specific grind or bounce. These wedges were as close to automatic as I’ve ever been with dispersion.

 

[joshparker]

Great write up and some clean looking wedges!

 

[AuzzieMatt]

Great review @Jman I've games the Smart Sole wedges in the past and although I love the Mizuno T-22s I have in the bag I'm excited for my 2 CBZ wedges to arrive tomorrow. I need the help and with my past experience with Cleveland wedges and this review I believe these will work extremely well.

 

[BriMac]

The world needs more forgiving (and full face) wedge options. Happy to see these.

 

[Jman]

Glad everyone is enjoying the review!

They stand out enough that it’s one I knew really needed to be written, the evolution of Cleveland’s CB line has been really fun to not just see, but to hit each model over the years as well.

 

[amarkabove]

It’s a great article @Jman and the wedge is very exciting. Z Alloy in a cavity back should garner a lot of attention.

But how has no one commented on “Wedgucational” yet???

 

[Jman]

It’s a great article @Jman and the wedge is very exciting. Z Alloy in a cavity back should garner a lot of attention.

But how has no one commented on “Wedgucational” yet???

Some just like to look at the pictures hahahaha

 

[amarkabove]

Some just like to look at the pictures hahahaha

It was even in big bold letters!

You mention feel blending seamlessly to RTZ in the article. Is that something you think Cleveland recommends? I know a lot of golfers could benefit from a cb style wedge in full swing, but is wedge set blending something Cleveland is designing for? Kinda cool if so.

 

[GolfSquatch]

Glad everyone is enjoying the review!

They stand out enough that it’s one I knew really needed to be written, the evolution of Cleveland’s CB line has been really fun to not just see, but to hit each model over the years as well.

Thanks for giving them props the cb wedges are too often overlooked

 

[Jman]

It was even in big bold letters!

You mention feel blending seamlessly to RTZ in the article. Is that something you think Cleveland recommends? I know a lot of golfers could benefit from a cb style wedge in full swing, but is wedge set blending something Cleveland is designing for? Kinda cool if so.

I think it’s something they’ve considered.

One of the points I think people lose is that you don’t have to play a CB Wedge everywhere. But, what if you played one in the spot(s) where you full swing your wedges? Why not blend the two?

We as golfers when it comes to wedges are far too all or nothing.

 

[GolfSquatch]

I think it’s something they’ve considered.

One of the points I think people lose is that you don’t have to play a CB Wedge everywhere. But, what if you played one in the spot(s) where you full swing your wedges? Why not blend the two?

We as golfers when it comes to wedges are far too all or nothing.

Yes, this is something I was really thinking about for next season and I still might experiment with it. That said, since I went full-face with the 60°, I’ve actually enjoyed it quite a bit—at least indoors. Hitting it full swing, it’s been a very consistent club for me.


I still need to see how it reacts on real grass, but right now it’s a spot-on 80-yard club for me with a full swing.

 

[Chow]

@Jman any comparisons from the CBZ Full face to the RTZ adapt? I'm curious how the bounce numbers / grind change across these two.

 

[amarkabove]

I think it’s something they’ve considered.

One of the points I think people lose is that you don’t have to play a CB Wedge everywhere. But, what if you played one in the spot(s) where you full swing your wedges? Why not blend the two?

We as golfers when it comes to wedges are far too all or nothing.

I have a follow up question but I think it warrants a larger discussion so give me a moment to start a new thread.

 

[Wonger]

@Jman very fortuitous timing on this article!!! I had just posted on the RTZ thread that I am probably going that direction on my 54°, but was looking for some guidance on why I might consider a CBZ for the 50°…then whammo. This article drops.
Get out of my head!!!!

Most definitely that 50° slot is almost large majority full swing for me with a few partials. Not a whole lot of instances where I would open up that face and need that versatility (just go to my 54 for that).
So this pretty much makes all the sense in the world.

 

[1860VS]

CB wedges are always something I consider when looking at building out a wedge setup, mostly because I don't use my GW and SW around the green - they are almost exclusively used for full and flighted approach shots - so why wouldn't I want that little touch of added forgiveness?

Cleveland has sort of blazed the trail on this over the last several years, with Mizuno and Cobra being the only other two I can think of who currently offer great CB wedges.

Great article, @Jman

Callaway offers one as well. Nice wedges but they launch too high for my game.