50 Words or Less
The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge are packed with tech to make sure that you get maximum spin, regardless of the situation. An easy-to-understand, impactful selection of soles has been made even better.
Introduction
At a glance, the new Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedges look like the previous RTX ZipCores [review HERE] and, frankly, the ones before that. But as I’ve tested them more and more, that sleeper quality has become my favorite thing. Behind the classic looks are a fleet of technologies designed to give you more spin, even from bad situations. If you’re ready to shock your opponents with your recovery shots, read on.
Looks
The Cleveland Golf RTX 6 ZipCore wedges have the classic address look you’d expect from a club that’s made it through this many iterations. It has a moderate face size and teardrop shape. You can see in the photo below that the shape changes slightly as the loft increases. The 50 degree wedge (left) has a straighter leading edge and more iron-like shape. In contrast, the 60 degree (right) has a more rounded leading edge and shape.
In the bag, the Tour Satin finish on these wedges is timeless. It’s crisp without being overly bright and shiny and will look great for a long time. The moderate branding is tastefully spread across the back of the club. An all-black paint fill enhances the classic look.
One final detail I want to call out is the milling on the toe of the face. This has no performance benefit (you’re not hitting it there, are you?) but it looks great and enhances the contrast between the grooved section and the toe.
Sound & Feel
Striking a Tour-caliber ball, the Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge produces a firm “clap.” The sound is a little lower pitched than average and moderate in volume. This is a good match with the firm, solid feel that comes through your hands.
This being a Tour-style wedge, it provides excellent feedback through the hands and ears. Unless you’re completely daydreaming, your hands will clearly convey where the ball met the face. While the audio feedback of a wedge will never be as distinct as that of a driver, there is a clear difference between the sound of a pure strike and a mishit. With the RTX 6 ZipCore, you’ll get an unvarnished understanding of the quality of your wedge game.
Performance
There’s a lot of tech to talk about with the new RTX 6 ZipCore wedges, but I want to start with something Cleveland continues to do as well as anyone: the sole. Any gear junkie knows that the sole is critical to a wedge’s performance, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed in all the different grinds and names. Cleveland excels by keeping it straightforward: Low, Mid, Full, and the new Low+. The Low (above, right) has the least bounce and the most aggressive heel and toe relief. This is ideal for firm conditions and players who want to open the club face. The Full (above, left) has the most bounce for dealing with soft conditions and steep swings. The new Low+ has the same sole shape as the Low but with two degrees more bounce.
To give players even better turf interaction, Cleveland dialed in the leading edges to match the grinds. For the Low and Low+, the leading edge is sharper. The Mid has a slightly more rounded leading edge, and the Full has the roundest leading edge. These changes will give even more digging insurance to the players who need it and more bite to those with shallow swings.
While the sole is critical, we all know that spin is what gets the people going. The RTX 6 ZipCore wedges promise more spin no matter where you are. To achieve that, they use a suite of technologies. That starts with the eponymous ZipCore which makes the wedge more forgiving and consistent. While not as obvious to the spin equation as grooves, having a stable wedge means you won’t see giant changes in spin from shot to shot.
On the face, Cleveland employs HydraZip and UtiliZip grooves. HydraZip is a combination of face treatments and laser lines designed to maximize friction and improve spin consistency. UtiliZip is Cleveland’s name for their sharper, deeper, tightly-spaced grooves.
All these zips create spin that is in the upper echelon of wedges, whether the shot is wet or dry. From short pitches to full swings, the RTX 6 ZipCore wedges put a ton of bite on your shots. What’s more impressive is that in wet testing (spraying both the club face and ball), I saw virtually no spin loss. That means you can play in all conditions and still execute your favorite short game shots.
Conclusion
The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedges don’t have weight screws or fancy colors, but don’t let the classic look fool you. When you find yourself short-sided in long, dewy grass, the hidden technology in this club is going to come to your rescue. Get fit for the right lofts and soles, and you might have to answer to “Houdini” on the course.
Visit Cleveland Golf HERE
Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge Price & Specs
Matt Saternus
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Great review! How do these compare to the SM9’s? Do you have a preference? Thanks.
Richard,
I didn’t review the SM9, so I don’t have a strong opinion regarding a comparison. The one thing I do like much more is Cleveland’s selection of soles because it’s easier to understand.
Zack’s review is here: https://pluggedingolf.com/titleist-vokey-design-sm9-review/
Best,
Matt
nice review. I’m in the market so I will definitely give these a good look. thanks
Hi, how do they compare in your hands to the ZipCore? I ask because I’m not sure my retailers, here in Scotland, care enough to look at all the aspects, they only want the sale.
Davie,
I didn’t review the ZipCore, so I can’t say firsthand. Zack’s review is here: https://pluggedingolf.com/cleveland-rtx-zipcore-wedge-review/
Best,
Matt
What player is this designed for? I am bogey-type player looking to hold shots on the green. Is this for me?
Alan,
You can certainly game this wedge. If you want more forgiveness, you can check out one of the cavity back wedges.
Best,
Matt
Awesome review, I will continue to follow whatever review site posts the best address club phots as those are the only ones that really matter. Cheers and keep up the good work Matt!
Great review. Gamed these for the first time yesterday and can say these wedges have an insane amount of spin on every type of shot. If you’re someone who struggles with too much rolling out or holding a green, these wedges are for you.
Thanks for your wisdom.
The courses here are plush, except in July-August if the superintendent saves H2O. There are tight lies on fairways; some area courses need sand added. I chip with every club from my eight iron and 58*.
I would like a CBX FF2 or two. However, I am considering choosing a more versatile wedge to cover the conditions. I am shopping for 54* and 58* wedges. Could I play two CBX FF2s? I picture the 54* to cover most bunkers and the 58* for face-open lobs, but the answer may be to become familiar with more loft in the sand. But, if I chose one more versatile wedge, like an RTX6 mid, should it be the 54* or the 58*?
James,
Those are great questions, but I don’t think I can give you a comprehensive answer with the information I have. I will say that for most golfers, I think the CBX FF2 is a great wedge with plenty of versatility and the ability to play in most conditions. If you’re a low handicap player who has strong wedge preferences, you may want to mix in a thinner sole for one wedge, but I don’t know that it’s necessary.
Best,
Matt