Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge Review

Cleveland’s RTX 6 ZipCore models use three huge technological breakthroughs to give you even more control.

The Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore is one of the best golf wedges in the game.

The brand have been wedge maestros since 1979, fine-tuning each model over the years for more spin, consistency, versatility and even greater playability. This is the culmination of all that R&D, Tour player and consumer feedback.

Replacing a winner

RTX 6 Zipcore replaces the RTX ZipCore, one of the best wedges of 2022 and a TG Editor’s Choice winner. But Cleveland promises even more performance from the classically-styled blade head shape.

Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore is packed with new tech and all starts with HydraZip. This technology uses dynamic face blasts and laser lines to maximize friction for improved spin consistency in the dry and wet.

The brand’s testing revealed 43% more spin in wet conditions with the RTX 6 ZipCore than the previous generation.

Then there’s ZipCore, a unique, low-density designed to expand the sweet spot and upgrade MOI for ultimate forgiveness. It pushes the center of gravity directly behind the impact zone, helping players find more consistent performance.

By adding high/low and heel/toe forgiveness into every loft option in the range, golfers can also benefit from increased spin, distance, and control.

Finally, the RTX 6 ZipCore features UltiZip groove technology, which helps by cutting through debris more consistently. These new grooves are sharper, deeper, and tightly spaced for enhanced spin, control, and consistency.

Clean Grooves = better numbers

When we conducted a test using dirty grooves, shots lost 7mph of ball speed – 5.5% of our tester’s total – which is huge. Backspin also fell a jaw-dropping 52.5% (to 2,566rpm from 5,399rpm), as did height (down six yards, or 20%) and descent angle (down 16.3%; 7°). That just shows you how important it is to clean your grooves.

Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore: New sole Grinds

The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge has four versatile sole grinds with a variety of lofts that are developed for greenside creativity.

Low (58º-60º), Mid (46º-60º), Full (54-60º) are all available, but new for 2023 is the Low+ grind featured on sand wedge lofts (54º-56º). This model offers two degrees more bounce in a C-Shaped sole, creating extra bounce in bunkers.

Key tech in the RTX Zipcore wedge

HydraZip

A dynamic blast and laser-milled line system creates roughness to enhance friction—maximizing spin in any conditions from anywhere around the green.

ZipCore

A low-density core technology offering players increased spin, distance, consistency, feel, and control.

UltiZip

Features grooves that are sharper, deeper, and tightly spaced, allowing the club to slice through debris and bite harder for enhanced spin and control.

Video: How does the Cleveland RTX 6 compare to other leading 2024 wedges?

Verdict: Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore wedge

Cleveland have a massive pedigree for making great wedges and the RTX 6 is their tour-level offering for 2024. I’ll put my cards on the table and say you’ll struggle to find a better-looking wedge on the market. I love the compact size, the straight leading-edge profile, and the new super aggressive CNC Milled pattern on the toe, which brings full-face groove levels of stopping power to a traditional groove wedge model.

Our test data has the ZipCore hovering 300 RPM above average levels of backspin in 2024, but with so many factors to consider when buying new wedges, it’s worth remembering you should never just pick the highest spinning model.

What’s much more important, is having a full range of lofts, bounce or sole grind options, and the ability to choose a finish that suits your eye, as you have to love your wedges if you’re ever going to get the best out of them on the golf course. And options are where Cleveland utterly excels.

From 100 yards out our test pro’s shots had a 9-yard drop-off (from longest to shortest) and 4.9 yard left to right dispersion, which gave a shot area 37% tighter dispersion than our test average.

In anybody’s book that’s cracking accuracy performance. If you’re happy looking at full-face grooves there’s also a new RTX 6 Full-Face model out just for you this year, where this standard model now heads into its second year of product cycle.    

Data comparison: How does the Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore compare to leading competitor wedges in 2024?

Model	Loft	Ball Speed	Launch Angle	Backspin	Backspin Drop Off	Height	Descent Angle	Carry Distance	Carry Distance Drop Off	Shot Area
Vega VWX	52°	78.8 MPH	24.6°	8974 RPM (1)	1212 RPM	18 YDS	43.4°	94 YDS	11 YDS	62.7 SQ YDS
Ram Tour Grind	52°	78.4 MPH	24.2°	8402 RPM (2)	1746 RPM	17 YDS	42.3°	94 YDS	15 YDS	64.5 SQ YDS
TaylorMade MG4	52°	78.3 MPH	25.8°	8003 RPM (3)	1092 RPM	19 YDS	43.9°	94 YDS	8 YDS	60.8 SQ YDS
Mizuno S23	52°	81 MPH	26.1°	7987 RPM	1289 RPM	20 YDS	45.2°	99 YDS	6 YDS (T1)	23.4 SQ YDS (1)
Tour Edge Wingman	52°	80.5 MPH	25.1°	7982 RPM	1382 RPM	19 YDS	43.9°	98 YDS	12 YDS	100.8 SQ YDS
Ping S159	52°	77.5 MPH	24.9°	7974 RPM	791 (1)	18 YDS	42.5°	93 YDS	12 YDS	68.4 SQ YDS
Cleveland RTX 6	52°	77.4 MPH	26°	7911 RPM	1791 RPM	18 YDS	43.7°	93 YDS	9 YDS	44.1 SQ YDS
Sub 70 286 Forged Raw	52°	77.9 MPH	25.5°	7820 RPM	2339 RPM	18 YDS	43.3°	94 YDS	7 YDS	58.8 SQ YDS
Cleveland CBX 4	52°	78.4 MPH	26.5°	7800 RPM	949 RPM (3)	19 YDS	44.6°	95 YDS	9 YDS	53.1 SQ YDS
Bettinardi HLX 5.0	52°	78.5 MPH	24.3°	7797 RPM	2109 RPM	17 YDS	42.1°	95 YDS	10 YDS	45 SQ YDS
PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II	52°	79.2 MPH	25.7°	7741 RPM	2240 RPM	19 YDS	44°	96 YDS	10 YDS	44 SQ YDS
Titleist Vokey Design SM10	52°	78.2 MPH	26°	7653 RPM	1926 RPM	19 YDS	43.9°	95 YDS	15 YDS	139.5 SQ YDS
Vega Alcor	52°	79.9 MPH	25.7°	7633 RPM	2006 RPM	19 YDS	44.1°	97 YDS	9 YDS	64.8 SQ YDS
More MOD 1	52°	79.2 MPH	25.4°	7512 RPM	894 RPM (2)	19 YDS	43.4°	96 YDS	6 YDS (T1)	28.8 SQ YDS (2)
Callaway Jaws Raw	52°	78.9 MPH	26.3°	7408 RPM	2805 RPM	19 YDS	44.3°	96 YDS	7 YDS	30.1 SQ YDS (3)
Ping Glide Forged Pro	52°	78.8 MPH	26.2°	7165 RPM	2246 RPM	19 YDS	44°	96 YDS	11 YDS	119.9 SQ YDS
Mizuno T24	52°	76.3 MPH	26.2°	7059 RPM	2131 RPM	18 YDS	43.1°	92 YDS	6 YDS (T1)	44.4 SQ YDS
Wilson Staff Model ZM	52°	77.8 MPH	26.4°	7003 RPM	1963 RPM	19 YDS	43.8°	95 YDS	13 YDS	81.9 SQ YDS
Callaway CB	52°	78.9 MPH	26.1°	6856 RPM	1672 RPM	19 YDS	43.7°	96 YDS	11 YDS	90.2 SQ YDS
Inesis 900	52°	78.8 MPH	27.6°	6685 RPM	2168 RPM	20 YDS	45.2°	97 YDS	16 YDS	172.8 SQ YDS
Average		78.6 MPH	25.7°	7668 RPM	1738 RPM	18.7 YDS	43.7°	95.3 YDS	10.2 YDS	69.9 SQ YDS

What Cleveland say about the RTX 6 Zipcore

Joe Miller, product expert at Cleveland Golf Europe

“The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge may have the classic look on the outside, but inside it’s packed with three technological breakthroughs that give the advantage to the golfer and not the conditions.

“All the work put into this wedge, we really focused on finding the perfect balance of versatility and consistency.

“UltiZip is a notable example. Without grooves you don’t have a wedge, so we equipped the RTX 6 ZipCore with our sharpest groove radii ever, imparting more spin and control. Now golfers won’t have to worry about how their wedge is going to react in certain conditions, they’ll know.”

Watch: Cleveland’s RTX 6 wedge video

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Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Wedge

RRP £159/$159.99 (steel), £169/$169.99 (graphite) | VIEW US OFFER | VIEW UK OFFER

Launched March 2023

Lofts 46º, 48º, 50º, 52º, 54º, 56º, 58º, 60º

Grinds Low (58º-60º), Low+ (54º-56º) Mid (46º-60º), Full (54-60º)

Stock shaft Dynamic Gold Spinner Tour Issue

Stock grip Lamkin Crossline 360 grip