golf gear
Short
Story
Cleveland Golf has some exciting options in its wedges and putting range. This month we look at what’s available in South African stores and online
For high handicappers, wedges and putters are the most important clubs in the bag because scoring in golf happens around the green. The average golfer (16 handicap for men, 21 for women) often struggles with accuracy and distance control, making it less likely they’ll reach greens in regulation.
That’s where wedges and putters become critical. They help the recovery from mis-hits, bunkers and rough lies, allowing players to get the ball close to the hole. A reliable short game can save strokes and build confidence, even when tee shots and approach shots fall short.
Putters are equally vital. Since nearly half of all golf shots occur on the green, being able to two-putt – or better – consistently can significantly lower scores. High handicappers may not drive the ball as far or straight, but solid putting can make up for it by converting bogeys into pars and avoiding disastrous three-putts.
While drivers and irons may seem more impressive, it’s wedges and putters that offer the best chance for consistent improvement. Mastering these clubs helps high handicappers manage their weaknesses, reduce frustration and enjoy the game more. Focusing on short game fundamentals builds a foundation for progress and is often the quickest way to lower a high handicap.
Here’s a selection of wedges and putters Cleveland Golf is showcasing.
RTZ WEDGE
What Cleveland Golf says: ‘The all-new RTZ wedges are made with Z-Alloy, a completely new steel formula that enables a zero-compromise design approach for incredible feel, better durability and more consistency for our best-performing Tour wedges yet. For classic groove length and head shape, select either full, mid or low sole grinds.’
Random review: ‘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.’ – drivingrangeheroes.com
RRP R3 499.99
TOP TIP
Ideally, you should change your wedges every 75-125 rounds. If you practise often or you play in sandy conditions, you’d be better changing at the shorter end of that range, but most golfers will want to update wedges every two to three years.
CBX 4 ZIPCORE WEDGE
What Cleveland Golf says: ‘The CBX 4 ZipCore Wedges bring premium versatility and elite forgiveness together in a highly refined, sharp-looking design that blends perfectly in the bag with modern cavity back or hollow iron sets. These CBX series wedges get all Cleveland Golf’s latest Tour-calibre technologies to create our finest cavity-back wedge yet.’
Random review: ‘These wedges are a solid blend of performance and forgiveness. While aimed predominantly at the mid- to high-handicap golfer, better players looking for extra help in their short game should also consider using these user-friendly, cavity-back wedges.’ – golfmonthly.com
Random review: ‘It’s definitely made for golfers of a certain ability so it should be viewed in that way. Considering that thought, I think this is a great wedge for the golfer who needs more help while still being better than a stock iron set option for around the greens.’ – todays-golfer.com
RRP STEEL: R2 999.99
GRAPHITE: R3 199.99
TOP TIP
Most golfers get maximum spin with a gap-wedge, but some will refuse to use anything except a lob-wedge for chipping. The more loft you use, the higher the risk of a thin or fat hit.
SMART SOLE FULL-FACE WEDGE
What Cleveland Golf says: ‘This ultra-forgiving wedge system includes four specialised clubs to fulfil every short-game shot on the course. Featuring our largest faces, extra wide three-tiered soles, plus HydraZip spin and UltiZip groove technologies, Smart Sole Full-Face takes the guesswork out of wedge plays and makes it easy to get on the green in one swing.’
Technically speaking: These wedges come in several lofts: 42-chipper, 50-gap-wedge, 58-sand-wedge and 64-lob-wedge, to create bigger gaps and help golfers separate the highest lofted clubs to make shot selection easier.
Who would benefit: If you’re a golfer who struggles with shot selection and is looking for a solution around the greens, these clubs are definitely worth trying.
RRP: R2 599.99
SIGNS YOU NEED A NEW WEDGE
- Slick/smooth grips (don’t regrip a wedge).
- Visible wear and tear.
- Fingernail or tee test. Drag across the grooves, it should ‘stick’.
- Loss of spin and stopping.
- You hit more ‘flyers’ from the rough.
HB SOFT 2 PUTTER
What Cleveland Golf says: ‘The all-new lineup of HB Soft 2 putters features our distance-normalising Speed Optimised Face Technology paired with stroke-specific designs for finely tuned, near-custom putters at an optimal price. The most traditional shape of all the HB Soft 2 putters, model 1 features a classic blade design paired with a plumber’s neck hosel and simple, one-line alignment – best suited for a slight arc stroke.’
RRP: R2 499.99
HB SOFT 2 BLACK PUTTER
What Cleveland Golf says: ‘A completely new head shape configuration, and our first putter with the ability to pick your ball out of the hole or easily off any surface without having to bend down – giving your back, knees and hips a break. Building on the success of the acclaimed HB Soft 2 lineup, these putters combine Cleveland Golf’s milled Speed Optimised Face Technology for consistent distance control with finely tuned customisation options.’
RRP: R3 699.99;
HB SOFT 2 CB - RRP: R3 699.99;
HB SOFT 2 BROOM - RRP: R3 999.99
RANDOM FACT
That SOFT face is not simply in reference to feel, though it does impact that. Instead, it stands for Speed Optimised Face Technology and it is the motor that makes these work. You see, a simple face milling could be done here by Cleveland Golf, but instead they have created a pattern which normalises speed across the face.
IMAGES: SUPPLIED
