Cleveland Golf is known for producing some of the best wedges on the market, and the launch of the new RTZ wedge looks set to continue this reputation. The brand has moved to the name ‘RTZ’ rather than continuing the RTX franchise because of the new Z-Alloy steel the wedges are forged from, as well as to show familiarity and a sense of togetherness with partner brand Srixon’s new ZXi 2025 lineup.
Wedge releases have been few and far between in 2025, but the Cleveland RTZ wedges ($169/£159) are undoubtedly some of the best-looking wedges I have seen over the past couple of years. They look ultra-clean, boasting a minimalist look that will capture the attention of any golfer looking for a new set of wedges. While I tested the Tour Satin finish, these wedges are also offered in a black satin finish and Tour Rack raw ($189/£169) version for those wanting a slightly more understated look, both in the bag and behind the ball.
Down in the address position, the RTZ wedges boast a traditional profile, one that is fairly compact and rounded. The grooves on the face contrast against the milling on the toe and heel to frame the ball exceptionally well, but if you’re looking for a more forgiving image down at address, the RTZ wedges are available in a new ‘Adapt’ grind, from 54°-60°, which offer full face grooves for maximum versatility. While this wouldn’t be my preference in the lower lofted wedges, I quite like the idea of this in my higher lofted wedges when opening the face. Aside from the Adapt grind, these wedges are available in high, mid and low bounce options, so you can choose which would most suit your game.
So what does the new Z-Alloy steel offer? Cleveland is claiming this steel is 10 percent softer than the previous steel used in the RTX-6 Zipcore wedges, something they designed to offer the best feel and consistency in the new wedge lineup. I have to say, this was something I noticed when I first started testing these wedges, particularly on mid-range pitch shots. The ball does feel as though it stays on the face for a little longer, softening the sensation and providing plenty of spin.
Cleveland continues to implement Hydrazip and Ultizip tech in the face, helping manage spin and control in various scenarios. I found this to really kick in under wet conditions. The face blasting and laser-milled lines meant that even when testing in the morning dew, I still noticed how much more spin I was still generating compared to some other wedges I have tested in the same situation.
As a whole, I was really impressed with the Cleveland RTZ wedges. I have found that a lot of ‘players’ wedges that have launched over the past couple of years have had the CG placed almost too high on the face at times and while I understand that lowers the flight for control, sometimes I actually struggled hitting the high ball, attempting to get the ball landing softly on firm and bouncy greens. With the RTZ I felt as though it offered more of a mid-to-high flight as standard but launched as high as some of the most forgiving wedges on the market when I needed it to.
This flight adaptability was perfect when it came to chipping and pitching as well and meant I could be creative around the greens to access pins that were tucked on ridges or beyond slopes. This, combined with the new soft feel from the Z-Alloy steel, provided exceptional control and gave me the confidence I needed to get up and down more often. All in all this is an excellent wedge that competes admirably with the best on the market, including the likes of the Callaway Opus and Titleist Vokey SM10.
