Depending on how much you play you may not need to upgrade your wedges every season, but if you are considering new wedges in 2017, the Cleveland RTX-3 wedges are an excellent refinement of already good wedges.
The new features and multiple loft, bounce and grind options will make them a serious scoring upgrade from previous wedges. You will definitely notice the improved feel and more consistent spin the RTX-3 offers. Cleveland builds on its strong tradition of good wedges and really focuses its efforts into these refined wedges.
Cleveland offers numerous different lofts and bounces in each of the 3 finishes, black satin, chrome and a Tour RAW finish for that rusty look.
The new features of the Cleveland RTX-3 wedges are what they call “Feel Balancing Technology”, V Sole Grinds, and Rotex Face. While they are “new” features, I really see them as refinements of things that were part of previous Cleveland wedges. For me the best new tech that they added is the Feel Balancing Technology.
It basically takes 9 grams from the hosel and moved it toward the middle of the face. This isn’t new to wedges, others have been working with the CG for some time but Cleveland have really mastered this in the RTX-3. The sensation of hitting these wedges is much more solid than in previous models. While feel might be the main factor, proper CG does help with performance too, especially in terms of consistency.
The V-sole grind on the Cleveland RTX-3 wedges isn’t brand new, some previous models have had it too, but again they refined it so that you get excellent turf interaction no matter how it changes from shot to shot. This continues to be one of my favourite sole designs whether it is on irons or wedges. It makes for clean entry and exit from the ground on every shot no matter the lie. Clean turf interaction is key to hitting solid wedge shots.
The new Rotex Face on the Cleveland RTX-3 is again another refinement of this technology. The grooves and milling were reshaped to fit the various lofts; more spin for higher lofts and more controlled spin on lower lofts. This change offers more consistency from shot to shot and loft to loft. The transition from the 50* wedge to the 62* wedge was noticeably how the spin was different based on the different needs of each club.
I really liked all the refinements in the Cleveland RTX-3 wedges and if you are looking for a serious set of game improving scoring clubs, these are not to be overlooked.
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