Cleveland RTZ Wedge

The new Cleveland RTZ wedges are the newest wedge in the legendary Cleveland wedge line.  Touting a new proprietary steel with a classic shape, the Cleveland RTZ looks to deliver exceptional performance in a classic package. Featuring HydraZip face milling for maximum friction and UltiZip grooves for enhanced control, the RTX line is built to deliver precision in any condition.

The Looks

The Cleveland RTZ wedges stick with the brand’s signature teardrop shape, a classic design that has always been easy on the eyes at address. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. The clean, simple profile keeps the focus on the task at hand – getting the ball close to the hole.

Where the RTZ does mix things up is in its finish. The Tour Satin option introduces polished steel accents around the back of the clubhead, highlighting both the grind and the wedge’s sleek back design. It’s a subtle but noticeable departure from a fully brushed finish, giving the club a fresh yet refined look in the bag. The badging remains minimal, featuring only the Cleveland and RTZ logos, with loft and grind markings on the toe. A nice shift from the busier aesthetic of the RTX 6 Zipcore. The face still showcases deep milling across the entire surface, a design choice I’m a big fan of.

The RTZ is available in three finishes. Tour Satin, Black Satin, and Tour Raw – along with a full-face groove option in the higher-lofted wedges. While the changes are subtle, Cleveland smartly stuck to what works, which is a big plus in my book.

How Does it Feel?

Off of the face, the Cleveland RTZ wedge boasts a great feel that Cleveland is known for.  It’s nice and soft off of the face, but by no means does it feel dead. You definitely can get a little more feedback from misses, but it’s not harsh on your hands. The softer feel is attributed to the new Z Alloy steel that Cleveland uses in the RTZ, which delivers 10% softer feel than the RTX 6 wedges.

Where the feel really shines is through the turf. When paired with the right grind, the RTZ glides smoothly through the grass. I never found myself fighting the wedge with digging, which I attribute to the amazing grinds available on the RTZ wedges, and finding the right one for my game.

How Does it Sound?

I always say the sound matches the feel, and just like the soft, responsive feedback of the Cleveland RTZ, the sound follows suit. It delivers a noticeably softer tone at impact that’s deeper and more controlled rather than high-pitched or harsh. I wouldn’t call it quiet, as there’s still a distinct, audible click, but it’s far from the loud, sharp sound that some wedges produce. For players who prefer a more muted, solid strike without the high-pitched “ting” or overly metallic feedback, the RTZ hits the mark. Personally, I can’t stand wedges that sound too clicky, so this was right in my wheelhouse. Once again, a big win for Cleveland here.

On-Course Performance

Fist and foremost, the Cleveland RTZ wedges generate a lot of spin. While I know I was using fresh new wedges, my gamers are by no means worn down. That said, the RTZ generated about 500 more RPM of spin on short shots, and full swing wedges were spinning almost 800 RPM more. The Ultrazip grooves really do their thing with spin generation. They also hold up well in the wet (although we don’t get much of that here in Arizona so I had to test on a wet ball) thanks to the HydraZip face. The best part about this is I was able to control spin, and hit a variety of short game shots. They extremely predictable yet versatile, and I can hit any shot I need around the greens.

They’re also very consistent. I know I’m echoing all of my wedge reviews, but consistency is HUGE when it comes to wedge performance. For me, if I’m able to hit a +/- 5-yard dispersion on stock wedge shots, we’re doing good, and the RTZ delivered that. The Cleveland RTZ is consistent and predictable for me. Just remember, the key to great wedge performance is the right grind for you.  Always get fit, especially for wedge grinds, to maximize your results.

Final Thoughts – Cleveland RTZ Wedges

The Cleveland RTZ Wedges are already firmly in my bag, kicking out my current gamers immediately. Cleveland’s RTZ wedges stick to what the brand does best – classic shaping, exceptional feel, and serious spin control. The new Z Alloy steel softens impact, while HydraZip and UltiZip grooves deliver impressive consistency and versatility. With solid turf interaction and multiple grind options, the RTZ offers everything needed for a reliable short-game tool. If you’re looking for a wedge that blends tradition with performance, this one’s a winner. Just be sure to get fit for the right grind to maximize your results.

Stock Cleveland RTZ Wedge Specs

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