First Look: 2017 Cleveland RTX-3 Wedges

[GolfSpy Barbajo 9,641]

 

 

Hey gang -- 

 

Here's the first official look at what was in the box - the 2017 Cleveland RTX-3 Wedges!

 

There's the traditional blade style wedge as well as the cavity back style.  The big development for Cleveland in this year's wedge is moving the center of gravity away from the heel, as is traditional in most wedges, and towards the center of the clubface. While this is new for Cleveland, it isn't a new idea -- Edel has been doing this with its wedges for a few years now.

 

 

What Cleveland has done is moved 9 grams of weight out of the hosel - by shortening it a bit and creating a small cavity inside the hosel - allowing them to shift the CG closer to the impact area.  Cleveland is calling this "Feel Balancing Technology," - they say it decreases vibration and maximizes head stability which improves feel and tightens shot dispersion.  

 

 

They've also modified their grinds a bit -- the new V Sole grinds have more leading edge bounce to get through the turf easier (although from experience they do nothing if you hit the ground at least 2" behind the ball!). The V-LG is low bounce, V-MG is mid bounce and V-FG is the highest bounce and, as they say, bounce is your friend.

 

 

Cleveland has also upped its face-milling game.  The new Tour Zip grooves are deeper and narrower than previous models for improved spin, and  the updated micro-milling is kinda interesting. Lower lofts have relatively straight patter milling for full shots, while the higher lofted wedges (54-64*) have a more angled pattern - better for open faced shots.  

 

The blade wedges come in three finishes - satin chrome, black oxide and Tour Raw (soaked in oil and aggressively wrapped in plastic). The cavity back wedges come in chrome only.

 

 

 

 

Lots more to come - but I can tell you there's nothing like a new wedge -- first full shot I hit with a 50* yesterday hit on the fringe about 10 feet past the pin, spun and rolled back about 20 feet.  That was fun to watch!

[numberonecoog 339]

Whats up with that white spot on the bottom of the hosel? Come up a little early?    all jokes aside... These look great. Probably wont kick my nikes out of the bag but they are pretty. 

[GolfSpy Barbajo 9,641]

Whats up with that white spot on the bottom of the hosel? Come up a little early?    all jokes aside... These look great. Probably wont kick my nikes out of the bag but they are pretty. 

 

They do look nice -- also, they did dump the 588 nomenclature this time around. I think Rotex and RTX is the more modern branding they're trying to promote...

[numberonecoog 339]

I didnt even notice that. I like it. 

[BigtazzGolf 1,901]

Those look great. So jealous.

And totally agree, new wedges are great.

 

Tazz

 

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@bigtazzGOLF on Twitter

[StrokerAce 11,772]

Wow!  Look really nice.  

 

Got any pics of the face?  Would be interesting to see what those new grooves look like.

[808nation 1,790]

They look awesome!! Currently playing the Taylormade R series @ 56 degrees and Taylormade's PSI pitching/gap wedge.

 

Just curious to see what everyone's take, if you play wedges that come with the set or wedges made and sold for individual play like the R series, Vokeys, Clevelands...etc. Any difference in play or just personal preference.

 

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[McaseyM 1,725]

Sweet!, those are beautiful! I'm loving the simplification and minimizing graphics. keeping it clean!

[StrokerAce 11,772]

They look awesome!! Currently playing the Taylormade R series @ 56 degrees and Taylormade's PSI pitching/gap wedge.

 

Just curious to see what everyone's take, if you play wedges that come with the set or wedges made and sold for individual play like the R series, Vokeys, Clevelands...etc. Any difference in play or just personal preference.

 

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I recently picked up a set of Callaway MD2 Tour wedges (52/58) and let me tell you - they did something right with these.  The unique thing about them is the leading edge is straight rather than the normal curve.  That certainly helps me from all lies.

 

The grooves and face are very well done also.  I couldn't be happier... but then again if I had a sweet set of Cleveland RTX or Titleist SM6 I'd probably say the same thing.  

[jlukes 16,688]

What a great job by Cleveland on the looks and the inclusion of the VT sole was a no brainer.

 

Not in the market for wedges this year, but if I was these would be at the top of the list. And they will be at the top of the list next year.

[jlukes 16,688]

All the talk about moving the weight from the hosel has me thinking about CoG location in wedges.  We have been seeing more companies talk about raising the CoG (moving mass higher in the club face) to create more repeatable launch and to increase spin.  I am curious as to where different wedges compare in terms of CoG placement.

 

If there was only a website that could test this sort of thing...

[GolfSpy Dave 1,684]

Like the look of these. Interested to see how they feel and if Cleveland is going to get even more crazy with their custom options

[808nation 1,790]

Just curious, why don't manufacturers make the grooves extend to the edges like Phil Mickelsons wedges pictured. Wouldn't that help with performance?

 

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[Fireinthehole 670]

Wow even the cbs look great! Wish they had rolled these out earlier

 

 

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[McaseyM 1,725]

So many sets....... Might... need.... some.... forum.... testing.... done????

 

 

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[Hula Rock 700]

Just curious, why don't manufacturers make the grooves extend to the edges like Phil Mickelsons wedges pictured. Wouldn't that help with performance?Screenshot_2016-07-25-16-11-43-1.jpg

 

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Because most of use dont know how to control a shot like Phil with at high face strike.

[chemclub 1,026]

I love how clean and minimal these look. I have always been a fan of Clevelands. I haven't ever gamed another wedge besides Cleveland and would gladly bag a complete set of Srixon-Clevelands. I think the Srixon company as a whole makes some of the nicest looking clubs in the business.

[chemclub 1,026]

If I could design the wedge, I would move all of the model details onto the hosel and have a completely blank metal back of the club with only the Cleveland

[jbil8802 801]

Good looking wedges, but I think the T7s will be taking my money.

[jlukes 16,688]

I just love what Cleveland did with the soles this time around. Should make for the perfect blend into the Srixon irons which.  I would love to test these out to see just how well the sole works on wedges where I am not taking full swings with.