Forum Member Review: Cleveland RTZ Wedges

Introduction

The Cleveland RTZ wedges are Cleveland’s latest flagship short-game release, promising innovative material construction, grind versatility and next-level spin performance. Four Forum testers – jayyarr, Jbram, edingc and Brad Boehmke – evaluated them intensively in various conditions (bunkers, rough and approach scenarios) to assess if Cleveland has indeed created wedges worthy of replacing the gamer staples in their bags.

Key highlights from testers

Performance summary

Testers consistently reported:

Exceptional feel and softness, providing feedback without harshness
Reliable and elevated spin performance, especially with Hydrazip and full-face grooves
Grind versatility, enabling creative shots around the green and out of bunkers
Confidence at address with clean aesthetics and well-balanced shaping
Durability of the Z-Alloy construction, maintaining integrity through heavy use

Key features

Top features highlighted:

Z-Alloy construction: proprietary alloy, enhancing feel, durability and mass redistribution
Hydrazip grooves: improved spin retention in wet conditions
ZipCore technology: raises MOI for forgiveness
Full-face grooves (Adapt grind): expanded groove area for versatility and off-center forgiveness
Multiple grind options: Adapt, full, mid and low bounce choices for tailored fit

Overall impressions

Testers agreed the Cleveland RTZ wedges offered measurable improvements in confidence, shot versatility and short-game scoring, with the 60-degree Adapt grind emerging as a standout performer.

Tester insights: Performance and impressions

First impressions and aesthetics

jayyarr

“My initial impressions based on looks alone are how minimalistic and clean these look in a way that comes off as beautiful. My current wedges are TaylorMade MG3s and they generally just look significantly busier so for me this is a massive upgrade.“

“Looking at these side by side, the leading edge looks much sharper and the heel looks a bit more ground down which I am hoping will help with some of those more open-faced shots.”

Jbram

“The clubs are very good-looking. They are the best-looking clubs I’ve ever had in my bag…and I’m in love with my T-stamped P-7MC irons. These clubs have a very simple yet classy look on the back. No excessive lines. Nothing that stands out to steal the show.”

“The Hydrazip design surrounds the grooves in a ‘tire tread’ pattern. It’s subtle enough that you don’t really notice it until you look closely. The whole pattern along with the grooves looks incredible, especially on the full-face Adapt head.”

edingc

“These wedges suit my eye incredibly well. Between the classic wedge shape, the pearly Tour Satin chrome finish, and the understated (yet attractive) Cleveland badging, the RTZs set the standard for sexy. The shape frames the ball beautifully.”

Brad Boehmke

“The craftsmanship is impressive — the milling is sharp, the face tech stands out, and I really like the two-tone finish on the back of the head. Especially the 60° Adapt which has full face grooves and a high toe!”

Feel and sound

jayyarr

“The clubs themselves feel incredibly soft. Significantly more than my MG wedges I was gaming before and also slightly more than my older Vokeys. They sounded great and good shots with these felt incredibly crisp.”

Jbram

“Contact off the face is smooth when hit well. Mishits can still offer good feel but provide feedback without punishing your hands. Taking divots feels controlled with good turf interaction.”

edingc

“Cleveland’s Z-Alloy seems to live up to its billing as it feels soft at impact but so far has been very durable for me. Well-struck shots feel substantial. Center strikes feel heavy and powerful, while mishits are noticeable but not harsh.”

Brad Boehmke

“When you hit the center of the face, it’s incredibly soft — almost like there’s no resistance at all. Mishits don’t sting, but the club gives you just enough feedback to know you missed. That’s exactly the kind of communication I want from a wedge.”

Spin and stopping power

jayyarr

“I was able to sneak out for some range time shortly after they came in and the two biggest things that stuck out to me were how soft these faces were and how much spin I was generating. It was an impressively different feeling even compared to my MG3s.”

Jbram

“I’m seeing over 750 rpm on full swings with these wedges. The added spin gives more control and stopping power. Because they’re easier to hit, I’ve been more confident taking on shots I used to avoid.”

edingc

“HydraZip helped immensely on less than full shots into and around the green. On more full shots, the stopping power of the RTZs was on par with any other wedge I’ve used.”

Brad Boehmke

“My bunker fear is fading fast with this fantastic club! The traditional sole performs well on steeper attack angles. This helps to escape our local course’s dirt bunkers by making it easier to get under the ball and still generate spin.”

Forgiveness and consistency

jayyarr

“The versatility of that club specifically replaced shots I generally would have just taken with my 54, giving me significantly more stopping power into certain greens and really allowing me to attack pins a bit better.”

Jbram

“The combination of sharper, deeper grooves along with the HydraZip pattern is a big part of why contact felt so clean in both wet and dry weather. Even with dirt caked in the grooves, spin stayed consistent.”

edingc

“Predictable misses are manageable misses. The MID grind proved to be a strong performer in all conditions. I loved how it handled both soft, muddy rough and dry, tightly mown fringe and fairways.”

Brad Boehmke

“The shorter the shot, the more I tend to bias toward the toe — but the full-face grooves on the 60° Adapt have made those mishits far more playable. Even on toe-side strikes, I’m still getting spin and consistent results.”

Grinds and versatility

jayyarr

“I decided to try something a little different. Generally I have always played ‘Standard Bounce’ wedges across the board… this time I wanted to try out the full face in my 58 in their Adapt grind which will get me down to 8 degrees of bounce. I am really expecting this to help out my short game and allow me to get a bit more creative around the greens.”

Jbram

“The 60° Adapt grind has been THE club that has truly transformed my short game. It’s my go-to club within 60 yards. Incredibly forgiving, tons of spin, and well-balanced.”

edingc

“I’ve been playing a three-wedge, matching grind setup for three years now and it works for me. The MID appears to be a versatile all-around grind, with a little V-sole that reminds me of what I like about my Hogan irons.”

Brad Boehmke

“The 60° Adapt has been transformative. I now feel far more comfortable over bunker shots, and the results back that up. The sole design glides through the sand cleanly and predictably, and I don’t fear the leading edge digging or blading the shot.”

On-course performance

jayyarr

“My play to start this season was helped pretty significantly by these wedges. They slotted in with my current set effortlessly and really just felt natural pretty early on. So far I have dropped a point from my handicap and hopefully it will only get better from here.”

Jbram

“When I started the test, my unofficial handicap was around 15. Just a little over a month later, and I’m consistently shooting around 9-12 over and on the verge of breaking 80 for the first time.”

edingc

“Since bagging the RTZs, I’ve played nearly 40 rounds and lowered my estimated handicap to an all-time low of 1.9 as of this morning. Saying the RTZs played a pivotal role in that would be an understatement.”

Brad Boehmke

“After about 20 rounds with the RTZ wedges, the results are clear: these clubs have made a positive impact on my scoring, consistency, and confidence across a range of real-world scenarios.”

Durability and finish

jayyarr

“I had not realized until digging more into the tech that they do not rust. As someone who never really liked the look of rusty wedges this was great to see.”

Jbram

“Z-Alloy: It’s hard to make long-term claims after just a month, but so far, the durability is impressive. Despite hitting out of iffy lies and bouncing against other clubs in the bag, the finish still looks great.”

edingc

“Despite 40 rounds and a lot of practice, the grooves have held up very well. The Tour Satin finish cuts glare and hides chatter well.”

Brad Boehmke

“Durability-wise, the black finish on the 60° is starting to wear after 15-20 rounds, especially on the sole and face. It’s been my go-to club, so the wear makes sense.”

What they liked

Exceptionally soft and solid feel across all lofts
Clean, minimalistic, confidence-inspiring aesthetics
Effective grind options, especially Adapt and mid
Elevated spin, even in damp conditions
Consistent performance on partial and full swings
Forgiveness on off-center strikes, especially with full-face grooves
Durable Z-Alloy maintaining integrity through heavy use

What they didn’t like

Distance control adjustments needed due to shaft or setup changes (Brad Boehmke)
Minor finish wear on blackout models over time (Brad Boehmke)
Lack of measurable spin difference in indoor launch monitor testing (Brad Boehmke, edingc)
Premium price point compared to value wedges (Jbram)

Conclusion

Final verdict

The Cleveland RTZ wedges impressed testers with elite feel, versatility and confidence-enhancing shaping. For all four testers, the RTZ wedges have earned permanent spots in their bags, with the 60-degree Adapt grind repeatedly highlighted as a game-changing tool around the green.

Recommendations

Golfers seeking premium wedges that blend classic feel with modern spin technology and grind versatility should prioritize a Cleveland RTZ fitting. They cater to mid- to low-handicaps needing precision and forgiveness as well as value-conscious players looking to upgrade for measurable performance gains.

FAQ

Do Cleveland RTZ wedges rust over time?
No. Their Z-Alloy construction maintains finish integrity without rusting.

Which grind is most versatile?
Testers consistently favored the Adapt grind in the 60-degree for creative short game shots and the mid grind for balanced all-around performance.

Are they forgiving on mishits?
Yes. Testers noted predictable and playable misses with minimal harsh feedback.

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