The sixth edition of Cleveland’s tour-level RTX wedge emphasises the importance of spin – or zip, to be more precise.
Cleveland have updated or introduced three new zip-enhancing technologies in the new RTX 6 wedge: ZipCore, HydraZip and UltiZip.
That’s a lot of zip to unzip but Cleveland are confident the RTX 6 ZipCore is their best, and most consistent wedge, to date.
ZIP IT GOOD
Spin is king in wedges and learning to harness it is like having a control lever around the greens.
However, spin consistency is what you really need.
After all, if one shot stops quicker than Collin Morikawa in the final round at Kapalua and the next bounds like a kangaroo dodging a roadtrain, control becomes an unattainable myth.
Cleveland are confident the new RTX 6 wedge will spin consistently out of dry grass, the rough and – dawn patrol golfers get excited – wet grass.
READY TO PLAY ZIP BINGO?
ZIPCORE: Let’s start with ZipCore, which has had an upgrade after appearing on the previous RTX wedge.
ZipCore is a low-density core extending from the hosel to the heel and there is almost twice as much of it in the RTX 6 ZipCore wedge than Cleveland’s previous model.
It’s a very effective substitute for heavy steel in that zone of the club, with all that repurposed weight shifted higher and closer to the toe.
ZipCore is kind of like perimeter-weighting a wedge without making it look like one - which is perfect for the RTX 6’s compact leanings that are designed to suit the eye of better players.
Every loft in the RTX 6 line-up has its own unique ZipCore structure and it’s allowed Cleveland to tweak hosel lengths individually to increase MOI and forgiveness for each loft in the range.
The redesign has tightened dispersion by 20 per cent compared to the original RTX ZipCore wedge while also improving feel, according to Cleveland’s own analysis.
HYDRAZIP: HydraZip is a unique angled micro-groove pattern and coarse texture that is blasted, etched and milled on the face of RTX 6 ZipCore wedges.
And it does exactly what its name implies: brings the zip when it’s wet.
HydraZip gets busy when there’s moisture between clubface and ball, channelling water away from the action at impact to increase friction for more spin.
And we’re talking a lot more friction - a staggering 43 per cent increase on what the previous non-HydraZip equipped RTX wedge was capable of in damp conditions.
The HydraZip design is tailored according to the loft of each RTX 6 ZipCore wedge.
Lower lofts have fewer micro grooves etched into the face and a less pronounced face texture.
Mid lofts receive an increasingly aggressive face blast and a greater number of micro grooves while the higher lofts feature the most intense HydraZip pattern and texture.
It helps RTX 6 ZipCore wedges generate maximum spin in soggy conditions, yet it’s the across-the-board consistency of spin rates that make them the clubhouse leader in wet weather wedge performance.
ULTIZIP: Sharper, tighter and deeper is the direction Cleveland have taken with the new UltiZip groove that features on RTX 6 wedges.
And you can also add spinnier.
Cleveland have rejigged the edge angle of the UltiZip groove and squeezed an extra two grooves on the face.
It creates maximum spin on the greens that, above all, is consistent in wet and dry conditions.
And it delivers launch angles and carry distances that are remarkably consistent, too.
GRINDS, LOFTS AND FINISHES
Cleveland are nonconformists when it comes to naming their wedges, with a complete absence of the lettering system other manufacturers use to denote a wedge’s grind pattern.
Rather, they have stuck with their usual low, mid and full grind, with the addition of a new Low+ grind.
Each grind offers unique performance:
- LOW: a C-shaped grind with low bounce, suited to a shallow angle of attack.
- LOW+: low bounce grind with extra bounce in the leading edge, to make it easier playing out of the sand.
- MID: classic V-shaped sole grind that is the most versatile in the line-up.
- FULL: high-bounce sole perfect for bunkers, soft turf conditions and suited to a steep angle of attack.
Lofts in the range start at 46˚ and continue in 2˚ gaps up until 60˚.
The RTX 6 ZipCore wedge is available in three finishes.
Tour Satin will hit the shelves first, followed by the Black Satin and Tour Rack (raw) finishes.
CLEVELAND RTX 6 ZIPCORE WEDGE SPECS
- Hand: right/left
- Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue
- Grip: Lamkin Crossline 360
- Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge Lofts: 46˚-60˚
Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge - Loft/bounce combinations:
- Low grind: 58˚/6˚; 60˚/6˚
- Low+ grind: 54˚/8˚; 56˚/8˚
- Mid grind: 46˚/10˚; 48˚/10˚; 50˚/10˚; 52˚/10˚; 54˚/10˚; 56˚/10˚; 58˚/10˚; 60˚/10˚
- Full grind: 54˚/12˚; 56˚/12˚; 58˚/12˚; 60˚/12˚
