In light of my recent press release that focused on the RTX ZIPCORE wedges, I feel that it was appropriate to write a review that I intended to post much sooner than this. Yet, here we are. The product being highlighted here is the Cleveland Golf CBX FULL-FACE wedge. A wedge that was released on Demo Day in January which consequently won the “Top Wedge” category for the 2020 Teezy Awards.
Before continuing. I would like to pose a question. If the majority of golfers use cavity-back irons, why do you use a blade for your wedges? Control, better look at address, or maybe because it’s all that you’ve ever known to do? Perhaps, the last point was because there were no other feasible options being available. Well, maybe the time has come to change your thinking.
The Set-up
When it comes to the CBX FULL-FACE wedge from Cleveland Golf, there are a few things that we need to look at that makes this design perform.
Firstly, and very important to note is the fact that the CBX FULL-FACE, just by the design of its face alone, offers golfers a larger face area and more versatility on those tricky greenside shots that often plague a golfers scoring ability. How is this accomplished? Well, the larger face allows for the grooves to be extended.
A high-toe design, also allows golfers to get aggressive with their shots because the higher toe profile slides under the golf ball. Have you ever tried to hit a tempermental greenside lob/flop to a short-sided pin, just to watch the shot get flubbed? The CBX FULL-FACE wedge can help counter this “golfer’s malaise”. Also, the Cleveland Golf CBX FULL-FACE “delivers a unique half-cavity design with a cavity near the heel and solid muscle back on the toe, which pushes the center of gravity away from the heel and closer in line with strike patterns for improved consistency and feel”.
Rounding out some of the tech points about this wedge offering from Cleveland Golf is the “Rotex FULL-FACE”. Rotex Milling, Laser Milling, and the Zip Grooves that you’ve come to expect from Cleveland Golf cover every sliver of the face. Resulting in maximim versatility and maximum spin rates.
Finally, the CBX FULL-FACE features what Cleveland Golf calls its “Low C-Shaped Sole”. Optimized for open face shots (flops, lobs, and bunker shots) FULL-FACE offers Cleveland Golf’s lowest Cleveland CBX grind to date. The grind is C-Shaped to provide relief on the heel and toe.
The Transition
I’d like to say that the CBX FULL-FACE won it’s category solely on the fact that they were the only wedge manufacturer that allowed you to test all facets of the short-game. But, that simply wouldn’t be true. Did it help them? Yes, it might have contributed a little bit because, I was able to see what these wedges could do in “real-world applications”. Pitching, chipping, bunker shots… Everything! An advantage over many others in the category.
Aesthetically speaking, the CBX FULL-FACE wedge is a nice-looking wedge. While it may not be a classic forged blade, the “Gun Smoke-ish” finish I found to be eye-pleasing. If there’s a knock, it’s that this is the only finish. For me, I really like the finish. The heel to toe length appears to be longer than some but, it’s a small price to pay for the forgiveness and the “groovy face” of this wedge. Speaking of the face, I actually was pretty enamored with the face at first glance. I think much of that has to do with all of the grooves and the height of the toe.
Initially, I had fun chipping with the 56º model. Just working on chips, and I have to be honest. I was very impressed with how this wedge performed. Intentionally, I hit a couple of shots fat and the forgiveness was on full display. Even these misses provided excellent results, and these were results that I know would not have been possible with other wedges. Also, the spin characteristics were on full display as golf balls (Srixon Q Star Tour) routinely checked up. But then, I decided to switch things up and have some serious fun. I put the 64º wedge into my hands. Until now, the most loft that I’ve ever tried was a 60º, regardless of who the manufacturer was.
The 64º CBX FULL-FACE was a blast. It provided me the most fun that I’ve ever had around a green. Flops were easy to execute, even from the tight lies of the dormant grass that layed greenside. Greenside pitches stopped on a dime. And then there were the bunker shots. The traps at Orange County National Golf Resort and Lodge contain sand that is very “soft and fluffy’ in nature. Just thinking about those bunker shots with the CBX FULL-FACE wedge brings a smile to my face. Into the wind, my shots came out of the sand with ease and shots to a tough short-sided pin saw fantastic results. I didn’t mind chewing on a little grit from the blowback to get those type of results.
Forgiveness-wise. I’ll keep this talking point short and sweet. These are without a doubt the most forgiving wedges that I’ve had the pleasure of swinging.
The Finish
The CBX FULL-FACE wedges were very much deserving of the Gold Medal in the Teezy Award voting. There isn’t anything that these wedges can’t do to help golfers and their short game regardless of what your handicap might be.
The wedges look smart, feel great through impact, and impart boatloads of spin. Of course, this latter point depends on your ability to hit down on the ball. But, say you hit one a little thin or fat, you’ll see satisfactory results. I highly recommend these wedges to anybody looking to add some help to their golf bag on the low-end.
The CBX FULL-FACE wedges come in only one finish and only in four lofts. These lofts are 56º, 58º, 60º, and 64º respectively. All models have 10º of bounce and remember, bounce is your friend. Shafts offered are in both steel (True Temper Dynamic Gold 115 in Wedge Flex) and Graphite (Rotex Precision Wedge Flex).
For a more in-depth look at these wedges wedges from Cleveland Golf, please visit the Cleveland Golf website.
Until The Next Tee!!
#fightandgrind #seeuonthenexttee
The Next Tee (TNT) 