RTX Zipcore

The new Cleveland RTX Zipcore is the latest iteration in Cleveland Golf’s RTX wedge family. Over the years, Cleveland has really found their niche in the wedge market offering great short game tools for golfers of all skill levels. Following the success of last season’s RTX 4 wedge, Cleveland certainly had their work cut out for them, but unsurprisingly, they were up for the task.

The Looks

While Cleveland completely redesigned the technology within the RTX Zipcore wedge, they didn’t change much in regards to shape, and I think that’s a good thing. The new RTX Zipcore has a traditional “tear-drop” shape to it, with a little bit more emphasis on a higher toe, and a fairly narrow neck area where the head meets the hosel. The topline is fairly thin as you’d expect for a players wedge. The design on the back of the club features branding similar to recent RTX wedges, with the Cleveland logo in the middle and RTX logo in the bottom right on the toe. The notable difference is the new Zipcore logo under the RTX. Some may love it, some may not. Additionally, I will say, the Tour Satin finish really makes the wedge POP in the sunlight. Oh, and it also keeps the glare down.

How Does it Feel?

If you’re looking for a soft feeling wedge on a full arsenal of shots, then the Cleveland RTX Zipcore might be your grail. Shots on the center of the club face feel very soft, almost “buttery” if I dare, on the hands. Short chips to full swings have a nice, smooth feel to them. Of course, we all miss the center of the club face from time to time, and that’s ok! With the RTX Zipcore you will definitely feel some feedback in your hands, but it still has a softness to it. In other words, it’s not harsh when you mishit the ball. How do they do this? Part of the remake of the RTX wedge features a new, lightweight core and heat treated face for a softer, more consistent material. In my opinion, this resulted in a soft and balanced feel across the face of the RTX Zipcore.

How Does it Sound?

I say this all of the time: I love when sound matches feel. The RTX Zipcore from Cleveland does this extremely well. Soft feel in the hands. “Soft” sound in the ears. Now, let me be clear. This does not mean muted by any means. I’d describe it as more of a smooth, pleasant “click”. It’s not super loud, nor does it sound muted. It just matches the feel. If I had to plug my ears and guess what the sound would be like based on the feel, that’s the sound that I get from the RTX Zipcore. As expected, misses will have more of a louder, “hard” click sound, but no surprise there.

On-Course Performance

With the new Cleveland RTX Zipcore, Cleveland ripped apart the old RTX wedge and started from scratch. The biggest change they made is a lightweight material in the core for a softer feel which allowed them to reposition the center of gravity to create a larger sweet spot. The new UltiZip grooves are the sharpest grooves Cleveland has ever produced, but they’re also the deepest and tightest. This means deeper grooves and more of them than ever before. Yes, that’s going to add more spin, but it also adds more consistency. Now, with all of the technical mumbo-jumbo out of the way, does it really work?

In short, yes, it does work. We already covered the feel/sound so let’s talk spin. While the added sharper, deeper grooves add a touch of spin, most of us amateurs aren’t going to notice a huge difference. I’d say it’s on par with other Tour-level wedges in the marketplace.

What we will notice is more consistency. All of the technology improvements that Cleveland implemented to make the RTX Zipcore a more consistent wedge seem to deliver. What I need in a wedge is knowing exactly how my ball is going to react to different shots. Spin and stop, check up, release out, etc.. The RTX Zipcore helps do that. Distances are consistent, spin is consistent, feel is consistent. Pretty much everything you can ask for in good wedges.

Final Thoughts – Cleveland RTX Zipcore

Cleveland has become known over the years for great short game weapons. The new RTX Zipcore is no exception. While Cleveland ripped apart an old favorite in the RTX and started fresh, the changes they made were all for the better. Great feel, great sound, and consistent performance. Everything you should need in a wedge. If that isn’t enough, the RTX Zipcore has a ton of customization options. The RTX Zipcore offers 3 sole options (low, mid, and full), a variety of wedge shafts (the new Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Spinner comes STANDARD), and 16 different loft/sole combinations. With that many options, there’s sure to be something for everyone’s game.

Stock Cleveland RTX Zipcore Specs

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