Cleveland's latest RTZ models offer exceptional spin, in our review of the new 2025 wedges

Cleveland Golf has been known more for its wedges in recent times than anything else and with good reason. Going straight into the bag of Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka, is the new Cleveland RTZ wedge right for your game?

Certain brands carry more weight within categories of golf clubs. Scotty Cameron is known for putters, TaylorMade has led the way with drivers, and if you’re looking at some of the best wedges in the game you definitely need to be considering the Cleveland RTZ wedges.

Having been known for the RTX moniker on their short game sticks for the last decade, shorthand for the Rotex technology they’ve employed to cut the milling patterns on their faces, the new name is meant to highlight the new material being used – Z-Alloy.

Cleveland think very highly of this change, so much so they stamped it in bold letters on the back of the design. If the company, with the reputation it has, is being that bold with it, should we be as excited as they are or are we better off being a bit more reserved?

Looks/Feel – 5/5

The easiest way to tell how a wedge is going to perform for me is by looking for some key visuals down at both address and by inspecting the sole. Reading the bounce number is okay, but I’m more interested in looking at how the sole camber has been shaped.

The grind – as we now call it – needs to have relief in the heel and toe, regardless of whether the particular head is meant for steep or shallow swings, bunkers, or tight fairways. Wedges need an element of versatility to be effective for any golfer so the ability to open or close the face while keeping the leading edge down is essential.

The Cleveland RTZ has redesigned those key areas to allow for varied short-game playability, so it’s already a plus for me.

They’ve also taken time to slightly change the leading edge, making it slightly more curved than the previous generation. It’s subtle, but welcome, again, for the player who wants to open the face and still maintain that closeness to the ground.

There are also three finishes to go along with the changes, including Tour Satin and Black Satin as stock options, or you can order Tour Rack, which is their raw finish.

Overall, the RTZ looks super clean and inviting for the shots you want to pull off around from greenside, without compromising itself during full swings. It’s done a lot to win me over without hitting a shot.

Speaking of hitting shots though, contact off the face is smooth but in a way that still gives good feedback. The new material, Z-Alloy is soft, but not too soft. You’d run the risk of not being able to feel what was happening at impact during chip shots if you dampened the noise too much.

Technology – 4/5

So, Z-Alloy then, what is it? Cleveland says it’s a brand-new steel that they’ve been able to design specifically for their wedges.

While their being tight-lipped about the specifics of the metal (understandable, when you’ve got a unique technology), Cleveland has talked about how it’s softer, lighter, and a lot more durable than before.

Softer, I’ve already mentioned, but the durability seems to also have some backup to it from blasting shots out of a pebbly bunker. Normally I’d expect to pick up a few little nicks and scratches but there’s been virtually nothing from the two hours I spent in there and around the practice green.

Z-Alloy is coupled with returning ZipCore technology, which is a low-density core design for moving internal weight. Cleveland uses it to reposition weight inside the head to optimize the Centre of Gravity to where you’ll strike it on the face as well as make the head more forgiving.

Grooves are also made using Cleveland’s UltiZip cutting technique, which allows for a deeper groove line to make more room for debris like grass and sand so you get consistent spin across different lies.

Rotex face milling continues along with HydraZip (yes, that is a lot of ‘Zips’ being used in the RTZ wedges) which is a level of precision angle cutting across the face to prevent water from sitting in between the face and the golf ball.

Finally, to go back to the Z-Alloy, part of its formulation means it’s far more rust-resistant, even in the raw Tour Rack heads, meaning you’ll get longer-lasting, top-tier performance.

Performance – 5/5

Spin. Spin is just about the only word required to describe the Cleveland RTZ wedges. They’ve been impressive right from the first swing, and they’re still impressive now after weeks of putting them through the worst winter conditions I can find.

I’ve experimented with a few wedges over the last few months, but I keep going back to my trusted Vokeys. It’s a feel thing, as everything I’ve tried I struggled to find distance control due to a different sound and feel, but I know that they’re getting long in the tooth now and need a replacement.

From playing around the greens, both during practice and on the course, I could easily switch them out tomorrow for the Clevelands.

They’ve got similar feedback, something not marshmallow soft but also not hard enough that I’m scared to put some speed into a swing. The difference between those newer grooves and the old ones is in stopping power. My old wedges require trajectory to get the ball to stop where it lands, whereas the RTZ wedges grab so much faster.

It’s a great feeling and one that inspires confidence in any shot I want to hit, both high and low.

I pick out low-bounce options generally but, as it’s wet weather, I went with a mid-bounce choice. I’ve been surprised to see how cleanly it reacts to ground conditions in the soft turf while still being happy with a completely open face. This remains the same on the few firmer surfaces I could find, although I have been limited to driving range mats for the most part.

Overall – 4.5/5

Not that it will surprise many, but Cleveland has made some really impressive wedges here. They feel incredibly easy to use and the performance backs up that feeling.

There are plenty of cosmetic options and for those who forget to scrub their wedges after each round, the new metal means that you aren’t going to ruin them with rust within a few days.

The one downside I’m going to call Cleveland out for is the lack of options for left-handers. Everything else is near enough perfect, but Cleveland is still behind in choice for golfers that address the ball on the other side. When Vokey is offering every loft, grind, finish, and bounce to me, it’s hard to ignore.

But if you don’t swing it like Phil, I don’t think you’ll find the Cleveland RTZ wedges to offer you everything you could need in your short game.

About the author

Lewis Daff

Lewis joined the Today’s Golfer digital team in 2024, having spent more than a decade in both big-box golf retail and independent stores working as a club fitter and builder.

Experienced with every level of golfer, from beginner to professional, he has achieved Master Fitter and Builder status with most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, Taylormade, and Callaway, helping him to cement both a wide and deep knowledge base, ideal for helping guide golfers towards the correct equipment for them. Lewis specializes in Clubs, Shafts, Training Aids, Launch Monitors and Grips.

In Lewis’ bag is Titleist GT3 Driver (9º) with Fujikura Ventus Black, TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Woods (15º and 18º), Wilson Staff D9 Forged 3-iron, Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons (4-PW), Titleist SM9 Wedges (52º, 60º), Toulon San Diego Putter, and the Titleist ProV1X Left Dash.

Talk to Lewis about why steel shafts are now dead and graphite is the only way forward, or any other equipment you’d like to debate, via his email, Instagram, or Bluesky.

RRP: £170 / $169.99

LH: Yes, Limited Lofts and Grinds

Lofts and Grinds

Full-Grind: 54º / 56º / 58º / 60º

Mid-Grind: 46º / 48º / 50º / 52º / 54º / 56º / 58º / 60º

Low-Grind: 58º / 60º / 62º

Adapt-Grind: 54º / 56º / 58º / 60º / 64º

Finishes: Tour Satin / Black Satin / Tour Rack (Raw)

Stock shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner Tour Issue

Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Customizable: No