Cleveland RTZ Wedges Introduce New Material for Added Performance

By using a new metal formulation - Cleveland is calling Z-Alloy, engineers have been able to create wedges that are 10 percent softer than the previous RTX 6. This Z-Alloy along with refinements to the placement of mass around the head provides improved feel and consistency.

Unlike the materials traditionally used in the construction of wedges, Cleveland Golf’s Z-Alloy is lower density, which allows for unique design tweaks. This steel alloy is also one of the few metals exclusively engineered for the benefit of golf club performance and design.

“When we first started working with Z-Alloy, we learned quickly it was going to allow us more flexibility in our wedge design and we wouldn’t be limited on what we wanted to create," Patrick Ripp, Tour Engineering Manager at Cleveland Golf said. "The enhancements this new material offers finds its way into every design feature of the wedge that matters. The feel is pure, the look is cleaner, and the consistency golfers will see around the greens is improved. From top to bottom, this is our most complete wedge to date.”

You'll also want to pay attention to Z-Alloy’s anti-rust properties. This allows the raw RTZ Tour rack wedges to maintain their groove life and spin performance longer—leading to up to 15 percent more spin retention as the grooves begin to wear.

This is a dynamic face-blasting process which includes laser-etched lines designed to maximize friction in wet and dry conditions. What makes this process distinctive is that loft groupings are finished differently (46°–48°, 50°–52°, and 54°–60°). Lower lofts require less surface roughness to achieve consistent spin performance in wet and dry conditions.

Sharp grooves cut to the limit and a milling pattern configured to maximize spin around the face depending on whether a shot is hit square or with an open face.

The RTZ wedges are a single model line but will be available in three custom finish options—Tour Satin, Black Satin, and Raw Tour Rack—along with four grind options to choose from and lofts ranging from 46 to 64 degrees.

RTZ Tour Satin and Black Satin $169.99 / Tour Rack: $189.99

Cleveland, like its sister brand Srixon, is continuing to expand its custom options to further allow golfers to tune their equipment to their exact specifications, needs and preferences. For the first time, Cleveland will offer seven custom ferrule options to go along with 20 paint fill colors so golfers can make their wedges their own. This is on top of the brand's custom engraving and flange blasting options.