Expert consensus comparison
Cleveland RTZ 2 vs CBZ Wedges
Blade vs cavity back: Cleveland’s two Z-Alloy wedges compared on forgiveness, grinds, spin, and who should play each.
Cleveland Golf Cleveland RTZ 2 Wedge 9.2GolfTested score 
Cleveland Golf Cleveland CBZ Wedge 9.1GolfTested score Cleveland RTZ 2 Wedge scores 0.1 higher overall. Cleveland RTZ 2 Wedge leads 3 of 7 metrics, Cleveland CBZ Wedge leads 4. This is not presented as a GolfTested lab head-to-head.
Cleveland RTZ 2 Wedge
Cleveland's best blade wedge yet: soft Z-Alloy feel, strong spin in any conditions, and five grinds including the revived 588 and a full-face ADAPT option.
Golfers who want a tour-style wedge with top-tier spin, feel, and grind options.
You struggle with contact around the greens — the CBZ or Smart Sole will help more.
$199.99 Tour Satin
- Sold and shipped by Cleveland Golf
- Scored on the GolfTested rubric, not by the retailer
Links to Cleveland Golf and Amazon may earn GolfTested a commission. It never changes a score.
Cleveland CBZ Wedge
The best choice for most amateur golfers: a cavity-back wedge with Z-Alloy feel, a centered sweet spot, and real spin — forgiveness without a clunky look.
Mid-to-high handicappers who want easier, more consistent wedge strikes without giving up spin.
You are a skilled wedge player who wants a compact blade and many grind options.
$179.99 Tour Satin
- Sold and shipped by Cleveland Golf
- Scored on the GolfTested rubric, not by the retailer
Links to Cleveland Golf and Amazon may earn GolfTested a commission. It never changes a score.
Scorecard
Where the scores split
Gold marks the higher score in each row. Prices are brand-direct where we have checked them; Amazon prices are never printed.
Cleveland RTZ 2 Wedge
- Second-generation Z-Alloy steel for a soft, forged-like feel
- ZipCore iQ hosel cores are tuned to each loft and grind
- HydraZip face and UltiZip grooves are designed for wet-weather spin
- Five grinds: MID, FULL, LOW, 588, and full-face ADAPT
- Blade shape offers less help than the cavity-back CBZ
- Grind choice matters, and the wrong bounce hurts
- Tour Rack Raw costs more and rusts by design
- Premium wedge prices add up across three or four lofts
Cleveland CBZ Wedge
- Cavity back plus ZipCore moves the sweet spot toward where amateurs actually hit it
- Z-Alloy steel and GelBack TPU insert soften feel, even on mishits
- HydraZip and UltiZip grooves are designed for spin in wet or dry conditions
- Full-Face option helps inconsistent contact and open-face shots
- Bigger head is less precise-looking than a blade for skilled players
- Fewer grind choices than RTZ 2
- A cavity back wedge will not fix poor technique out of bunkers
- Some low handicappers will want the RTZ 2 feel instead