The Cleveland CBZ could be a milestone moment for cavity back wedges

Cleveland are not a brand afraid of appealing loudly to the everyman golfer. Their drivers, irons and putters speak firmly to the game-improvement side of the market, and while their wedges have fans all the way up to tour level, they've always put a firm focus on creating short game solutions for golfers who can use a little more help around the greens (see: just about everyone).

The trade-off in this segment of the market has long been a compromise on feel and raw performance compared to the very best wedges on the market. As with irons, wedges focused on forgiveness tend to sacrifice a little in terms of materials and finishing to present a more appealing, better-priced package to the everyday golfer. With the launch of the CBZ wedge line, however, Cleveland believe they've created a wedge that delivers on all fronts.

As the name and looks denote, the CBZ is the latest major entry into Cleveland's storied cavity-back wedge line: one that aims to dial up the forgiveness for mid-to-high handicappers by providing more consistent ball interaction, a bigger sole and more MOI on off-centre hits. Cleveland says that the CBZ, however, is the first of its kind to deliver the spin, feel and all-round finesse of the brand's flagship RT wedges.

In order to accomplish this, Cleveland have implemented an entirely new metal into the body and face of the CBZ. They call it Z-Alloy: a stainless steel blend that's apparently 25% softer than the metal found in last year's CBX Zipcore. It's paired in the CBZ with a Gelback TPU insert in the cavity back which helps dampen vibration and provide a more luxurious sensation on impact.

All of this, combined with the larger sweet spot lent to the CBZ simply by way of its cavity back, means more players should be able to attain that crisp, buttery soft feel only a well-struck wedge shot provides, more often.

Of course, none of this means much if, as is the case with many forgiveness-focused wedges, the CBZ doesn't boast enough stopping power. Cleveland have thrown the kitchen sink at this conundrum as well. The UltiZip grooves are the most aggressive ever put into a Cleveland CB wedge, and are once-again combined with the brand's signature Rotex milling—which is shaped in a way to deliver consistent bite both on square and open-faced shots. Hydrazip grooves also help maintain the club's checking power in the wet. 

With the focus here still firmly on forgiveness, Cleveland have taken the guesswork out of choosing a sole grind to deliver a package that's most likely to work for the widest range of golfers. All CBZ gap wedges come with a V-shape sole for forgiveness on fuller shots, while lob wedges come with a C-grind engineered with additional heel and toe relief to help everyone hit open-faced shots with more confidence. As with the CBX, the CBZ also arrives with the choice of a full-face groove pattern, paired with a higher toe for even more forgiveness and spin on off-centre strikes.

The Cleveland CBZ wedges will be available in golf retailers from September 5. Find out more at Cleveland Golf.