Cleveland CBX4 ZipCore wedge Review

Cleveland Golf make some of the best wedges for club golfers, and the new CBX4 ZipCore wedge promises even more short game performance. Let’s find out if it delivers.

Ever since the original Cleveland CBX wedge we’ve declared them among the best golf wedges for club golfers. Why? Because 14-handicap club golfers don’t suddenly become a tour pro when pulling a wedge from their bag…

Fact is, blade wedges just aren’t made for most golfers. Sure, you might hit it correctly every once in a while, but that type of short-game inconsistency simply kills your overall scores.

If you play cavityback irons it’s highly likely you’ll benefit from cavity wedges too, as their slightly lighter shaft and swingweights are more closely matched to your iron set.

The idea eliminates big feel and performance gaps between your wedges and irons which naturally improves consistency and predictability, which of course also leads to shaving shots from your game.

Designed to help golfers hit the sweet spot more often, Cleveland Golf’s CBX4 ZipCore wedges blend seamlessly in the bag for golfers already playing cavity back or hollow irons, while maintaining a similar swing feel in their wedges.

Cleveland cavity back wedges are as good as the category gets. But if you struggle getting your head round using cavity back wedges Cleveland also a have brilliant line-up of tour-level RTX wedges, and that’s the genius part of their two-model thinking.   

The clever stuff inside

At the heart of these clubs lies Cleveland Golf’s ZipCore technology, which helps reposition mass across the toe and high/low on the face – like in the new Cleveland ZipCore irons.

Inside the heel sits a lightweight, low density aluminium pad, which frees up inefficient mass. By redistributing that mass Cleveland’s engineers have optimised the center of gravity for the slightly toe side strike of amateur golfers.

ZipCore enhances MOI by aligning the center of gravity right where the club strikes the ball.

CBX 4 ZipCore features a 7% increase in heel/toe MOI and 5.8% increase in high/how MOI compared to previous versions – creating the highest total MOI in a CBX wedge.

More tech to help you

To ensure a pure feel at impact, a Gelback TPU insert absorbs impact vibrations. To enhance spin, HydraZip and UltiZip work together to maximize spin from any lie and in all conditions.

HydraZip uses a unique laser line and blast treatment to boost friction off the face, while specialised UltiZip grooves cut through the debris with ease.

Together, these technologies promote purer spin, more control and increased consistency.

Don’t stress about sole grinds

Cleveland have been fitting wedges to golfers since 1979 so they’re well aware which sole grind configurations work best for the vast majority of golfers.

Cleveland’s engineers have cleverly used all that knowledge to create a progressive sole system which takes the stress and confusion out of choosing which best suits you.

The CBX 4 ZipCore includes a variety of Dynamic Sole Grind selections optimized by loft, so players can take the guesswork out of selecting sole shapes.

All three sole grinds (V-Shaped, S-Shaped, C-Shaped) feature a new leading-edge bounce chamfer to promote smoother turf interaction from various greenside attack angles.

V-Shaped: Availabnle in lofts 44°–52° the V grind makes full swing and square-faced shots easier by gliding over turf without digging, even if you strike slightly behind the ball.

S-Shaped: An S-shaped sole with added bounce on 54°-56° lofts is ideal for bunker shots and open-faced finesse shots from the rough or fairway, helping get into and out of the sand or turf without losing too much club speed.

C-Shaped: A C-shaped grind on lofts 58°-60° is perfect for lob shots with an open face, and heel- and toe-side relief mean you’re free to manipulate the face angle to suit any greenside situation.

What Cleveland say about the Cleveland CBX4 ZipCore wedges

“What’s great about the new CBX 4 ZipCore is that they share similar shaping and weighting to modern forgiving irons, so the transition from your irons to your wedges is going to be consistent with what you’re used to,” said Joe Miller, European Product Manager, Cleveland Golf Europe. “You’ll have that same swing feel and find more consistency around the greens.”

“If you’re a mid-to-high handicapper looking for a premium wedge you can feel confident with, these are the answer.

“The CBX 4 ZipCore is the total package, packed with performance features geared towards real golfers looking to improve their short game without limitations.”

Video: How does the Cleveland CBX4 compare to other leading 2024 wedges?

Key technology in the Cleveland CBX4 ZipCore wedges

ZipCore

This lightweight and low-density core technology works with the cavity back design – reducing vibrations while also shifting weight and boosting MOI for more feel, control, consistency, and forgiveness over the last generation.

HydraZip

Cleveland’s dynamic blast and laser-milled line system creates roughness to enhance friction on the face – maximizing spin in wet or dry conditions, and from anywhere around the green – while also reducing glare at address.

UltiZip

A network of sharp, deep, and tightly spaced face grooves maximizes performance at contact. By slicing through and channeling debris to bite harder, UltiZip offers purer spin, more control, and more consistency.

Dynamic Sole Grinds

CBX4 ZipCore wedges come automatically paired with a dynamic V-, S-, or C-Shaped sole, depending on the loft, each selected by Cleveland’s engineers to help improve your greenside shot-making ability.

Verdict: Cleveland CBX4 wedge

I’ve watched as Cleveland’s CBX wedge family has changed the market since they launched in 2017. The whole idea is that club golfers who use cavity back irons should also use cavity back wedges. In my book, that’s sound theory and I love the concept that the CBX family should also be the starting point for club players looking at investing in new wedges, a point I’ve preached since the franchise first launched eight years ago.

The CBX4 is brand new for 2024 and my thinking absolutely hasn’t changed from its predecessor. We don’t suddenly become tour pros’ when pulling a wedge from the bag. So, if you’re looking for maximum wedge efficiency, forgiveness, and consistency you simply have to ask yourself if you can accept cavity back wedges in 2024. If you can the CBX4 is the best money can buy.  

As far as my test data goes the CBX4 is a top performer for many reasons. Yes, the model’s beautifully CNC-milled and laser-etched face produced 1.7% more backspin than our test average but much more importantly all that spin was consistent. The drop-off between our test pro’s highest and lowest spinning shots was 949 RPM, that’s 45.4% tighter than our test average and 3rd best across the entire 20 different 52° wedges we hit this year. Throw in a carry distance drop-off of 9 yards (that’s the longest to shortest shots) from 100 yards out and a shot area smaller than our test average and you soon realize this is a top-performing wedge for numbers.

The CBX’s beauty doesn’t just lie in numbers though. This is a seriously good-looking and feeling wedge, it’s beautifully finished and now in its fourth generation, it also feels like the model has blossomed and come of age too. My thinking is many golfers at address won’t be able to spot the differences between its slightly larger head and the tour-level Cleveland RTX 6.

The icing on the cake apart from the slightly lower price, is the ton of loft choices, but also the lack of sole grind or bounce options as Cleveland just makes this model in the specs best suited to its target audience. A move that takes a ton of hassle and confusion out of buying new wedges.       

Data comparison: How does the CBX4 wedge compare to leading competitor models in 2024?

Model	Loft	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Backspin	Backspin Drop Off	Height	Descent Angle	Carry Distance	Carry Distance Drop Off	Shot Area
Vega VWX	52°	78.8 MPH	24.6°	8974 RPM (1)	1212 RPM	18 YDS	43.4°	94 YDS	11 YDS	62.7 SQ YDS
Ram Tour Grind	52°	78.4 MPH	24.2°	8402 RPM (2)	1746 RPM	17 YDS	42.3°	94 YDS	15 YDS	64.5 SQ YDS
TaylorMade MG4	52°	78.3 MPH	25.8°	8003 RPM (3)	1092 RPM	19 YDS	43.9°	94 YDS	8 YDS	60.8 SQ YDS
Mizuno S23	52°	81 MPH	26.1°	7987 RPM	1289 RPM	20 YDS	45.2°	99 YDS	6 YDS (T1)	23.4 SQ YDS (1)
Tour Edge Wingman	52°	80.5 MPH	25.1°	7982 RPM	1382 RPM	19 YDS	43.9°	98 YDS	12 YDS	100.8 SQ YDS
Ping S159	52°	77.5 MPH	24.9°	7974 RPM	791 (1)	18 YDS	42.5°	93 YDS	12 YDS	68.4 SQ YDS
Cleveland RTX 6	52°	77.4 MPH	26°	7911 RPM	1791 RPM	18 YDS	43.7°	93 YDS	9 YDS	44.1 SQ YDS
Sub 70 286 Forged Raw	52°	77.9 MPH	25.5°	7820 RPM	2339 RPM	18 YDS	43.3°	94 YDS	7 YDS	58.8 SQ YDS
Cleveland CBX 4	52°	78.4 MPH	26.5°	7800 RPM	949 RPM (3)	19 YDS	44.6°	95 YDS	9 YDS	53.1 SQ YDS
Bettinardi HLX 5.0	52°	78.5 MPH	24.3°	7797 RPM	2109 RPM	17 YDS	42.1°	95 YDS	10 YDS	45 SQ YDS
PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II	52°	79.2 MPH	25.7°	7741 RPM	2240 RPM	19 YDS	44°	96 YDS	10 YDS	44 SQ YDS
Titleist Vokey Design SM10	52°	78.2 MPH	26°	7653 RPM	1926 RPM	19 YDS	43.9°	95 YDS	15 YDS	139.5 SQ YDS
Vega Alcor	52°	79.9 MPH	25.7°	7633 RPM	2006 RPM	19 YDS	44.1°	97 YDS	9 YDS	64.8 SQ YDS
More MOD 1	52°	79.2 MPH	25.4°	7512 RPM	894 RPM (2)	19 YDS	43.4°	96 YDS	6 YDS (T1)	28.8 SQ YDS (2)
Callaway Jaws Raw	52°	78.9 MPH	26.3°	7408 RPM	2805 RPM	19 YDS	44.3°	96 YDS	7 YDS	30.1 SQ YDS (3)
Ping Glide Forged Pro	52°	78.8 MPH	26.2°	7165 RPM	2246 RPM	19 YDS	44°	96 YDS	11 YDS	119.9 SQ YDS
Mizuno T24	52°	76.3 MPH	26.2°	7059 RPM	2131 RPM	18 YDS	43.1°	92 YDS	6 YDS (T1)	44.4 SQ YDS
Wilson Staff Model ZM	52°	77.8 MPH	26.4°	7003 RPM	1963 RPM	19 YDS	43.8°	95 YDS	13 YDS	81.9 SQ YDS
Callaway CB	52°	78.9 MPH	26.1°	6856 RPM	1672 RPM	19 YDS	43.7°	96 YDS	11 YDS	90.2 SQ YDS
Inesis 900	52°	78.8 MPH	27.6°	6685 RPM	2168 RPM	20 YDS	45.2°	97 YDS	16 YDS	172.8 SQ YDS
Average		78.6 MPH	25.7°	7668 RPM	1738 RPM	18.7 YDS	43.7°	95.3 YDS	10.2 YDS	69.9 SQ YDS

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About the author

Simon Daddow – Today’s Golfer Equipment Editor

Having tested and played more than 10,000 clubs in his life, what Simon doesn’t know about golf clubs isn’t worth knowing.

He’s a specialist in all things metal having spent a large part of his career as a golf club maker and product development manager, and has worked in the golf industry for more than 30 years.

He joined EMAP Active (now Bauer Media) as Equipment Editor in 2006 and has made todays-golfer.com the most reliable source for golf club testing.

You can contact Simon via email and follow him on Twitter for loads more golf equipment insight.

Lofts: 44°, 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

RRP: £159 steel, £169 graphite

Stock shaft: Steel KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 115; Graphite UST Recoil Cart 80

Stock grip: Lamkin Crossline 360

Available: February 10, 2024