“I’ve been fortunate to design wedges that have been trusted by generations of golfers, but the work is never finished,” Roger Cleveland said in a release. “RTZ 2 wedges reflect everything we’ve learned along the way, combining classic wedge design principles with modern performance to help golfers play their best scoring shots.”
Cleveland’s return to the design team for the RTZ 2 wedges led to an overhaul of the club, reexamining every grind to refine turf interaction. The most notable addition to the lineup is the return of the iconic 588 grind, based on the design that catapulted the Cleveland name into legends of wedge design almost 50 years ago.
Keep reading below for more on the Cleveland RTZ 2 wedges, including my take on the release.
What’s actually new with Cleveland RTZ 2 wedges — and why you should care
Bringing back a legend
Not only does Cleveland himself triumphantly announce his return to the company he founded with this release, but so does the innovation that helped make his name too.
The re-introduction of the 588 grind has been teased on the PGA Tour this season, with multiple PGA Tour pros, including non-staffers like Justin Rose, Gary Woodland and Rickie Fowler, adopting prototype RTZ wedges with the iconic 588 Wide grind. Cleveland also released a limited edition boxed set of 588 Tour Action wedges made from the Z-Alloy of the first generation RTZ wedges earlier this year.
Roger Cleveland working with Keegan Bradley.
Cleveland Golf
The wide-sole design of the 588, officially measured at 8 degrees, is ideal for shallow to moderate swing types, the company said, and helps to provide versatile turf interaction and confidence on full swing and pitch shots.
Joining the 588 are all the same grinds from the original RTZ lineup, including MID, FULL, ADAPT and LOW to give the RTZ 2 line the most comprehensive grind offering in years.
“There isn’t a single wedge that works for every golfer,” Cleveland said. “Players have different swings, play different conditions, and see different shots around the greens. RTZ 2 wedges are built around that reality. By expanding our grind offerings and bringing back the 588, we’re giving golfers more opportunities to find a wedge that fits how they play.”
All about consistency
Golfers who enjoyed the popular original RTZ wedges will be happy to know the Z-Alloy material introduced in the first generation returns in the second generation.
As does Cleveland Golf’s HydraZip face technology, UltiZip groove and Rotex Milling that have all contributed to the popularity of Cleveland’s wedge lines in recent years.
But a new addition to the technology suite is ZipCore iQ, which follows a recent trend in wedge design to optimize the CG in each loft and grind.
ZipCore iQ features a uniquely optimized hosel core for each loft and grind in the lineup to tune the CG and reposition the mass based on how the wedge will be used. Cleveland said the specific result they were after was more consistent launch windows across a variety of strikes.
Cleveland RTZ 2 wedges
The RTZ from all angles.
Cleveland Golf
What is it: Building on the success of the RTZ line, the RTZ 2 wedges add new grind options and the ZipCore iQ technology to what is already one of golf’s favorite wedges.
Available lofts: 46˚-64˚
Who it’s for: Players who want soft and consistent wedges with decades of design and innovation behind them.
My take: Innovation with tons of nostalgia
There are only a few names that rival Roger Cleveland’s when it comes to wedge design, so having him back in the fold for the RTZ 2 is fun to see. And RTZ 2 has absolutely gone right.
Cleveland got our juices flowing with the return of the 588 grind on the PGA Tour this season, so to see it come to retail so quickly is huge win for consumers.
I love the clean look of the RTZ 2 that mimics some of the prototypes we saw on Tour.
The RTZ got so many things right and the RTZ 2 enhances it, which keeps Cleveland firmly in the conversation as having the best wedges in golf.
Cleveland’s new RTZ 2 wedges are available for pre-order starting Aug. 4 and will arrive at retail locations on Sept. 4.
The RTZ 2 wedges in Tour or Black Satin will cost $199.99 while the Tour Rack Raw offering will be $219.99 per club.
The wedges will be offered in five different grinds (588, MID, FULL, ADAPT and LOW) across lofts from 46˚ to 64˚. The wedges come stock with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts.
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