50 Words or Less
The Cleveland CBZ wedge see the revolutionary Z-Alloy material used in a cavity back wedge to tremendous effect. Classic, clean looks. Exceptional sound and feel.
Introduction
Wedges haven’t changed all that much over the years. With a small clubhead, there is only so much real estate to add bells and whistles. However, the Cleveland CBZ wedge introduces an all-new material, Z-Alloy to another relatively new innovation in wedges, a cavity back design. I’ve been gaming the Cleveland RTZ [review HERE] since it was released in early 2025, and I absolutely love them, so I was excited to get the CBZ in for testing. Read on to learn more.
Looks
Just because a golfer chooses to play cavity back or “game improvement” clubs doesn’t mean they should be doomed to look down at hulking, garish mishmashes of carbon fiber and steel. No OEM gets that more than Cleveland, who has invested in making sure that its “CB” line of wedges looks every bit as good as its tour-preferred models.
The Cleveland CBZ wedge has classic looks, from its shaping to its finish. That’s not to say there aren’t appreciable differences. The clubhead is a bit taller and wider, and there is a touch more offset. The top line and the sole are wider, as well. Overall, it’s a shape that a huge range of golfers would feel comfortable playing.
The finish is a “tour satin” chrome that kills glare at address and looks great in the bag. The milling details on the face look really clean and intricate. The branding on the back is minimal and timeless. These are the kind of clubs that will still look great in 10 years.
Sound & Feel
The sensory experience provided by the Cleveland CBZ wedge is exceptional. Well-struck chips come off with a concise ‘clock’ sound – a blend of a higher-pitched ‘click’ and a lower-pitched ‘tock’, tending more towards the high end than the low. It’s really satisfying and reminiscent of what I get from the RTZ.
The feel is also familiar. It’s hard to describe other than to say it occupies a Goldilocks zone between soft and firm, providing a pleasant sensation through the hands and ample feedback on strike location. The idea that sound and feel must always be sacrificed when forgiveness is added is really put to bed by the CBZ.
Performance
My first stop in testing the Cleveland CBZ wedge was the chipping green. Dropping a few balls and hitting some short chips yielded a couple of key observations. One: these feel fantastic. Two: they really spin, even on short swings. Taking the 56 degree wedge, placing the ball in the middle of my stance and playing a low trajectory chip to a cup just a few yards away yielded a visible check that was a lot of fun to see, especially from a cavity back wedge.
Manipulating the face of the lob wedge is something I regularly do with the RTZ, and I found that a bit more difficult with the CBZ, specifically off of tight lies. Out of the sand it worked for me exactly as I hoped, but off of tight lies the sole width is more conducive to shots played with a straight face.
There aren’t a ton of bounce/grind options in the CBZ. Instead, Cleveland has optimized the bounce/grind for each wedge to fit the widest range of golfers. The lower lofted clubs have a V-shape sole grind while the higher lofted clubs have C-shape grind. The Cleveland CBZ wedge is also available with full face grooves, beginning with the 50 degree.
On the golf course, I had the opportunity to hit chips as well as quite a few full shots with the CBZ. I was very happy with the results. I was able to hit it high when necessary and also keep it relatively low, controlling spin with a three quarter swing. This is an essential quality in a wedge for me. Hitting a great drive and being under 100 yards away from the green is a great situation that threatens to become frustrating if one doesn’t have confidence in their wedges.
A quick word about the feel of these clubs and the new Z-Alloy material. While it’s hard for an average golfer like me to truly quantify the impact of a new material like this, I can say it feels great. I also applaud Cleveland for searching for ways to push the envelope and create something better. The material itself is unique because, according to the company’s website, it’s 25% softer than the material in its previous generation of wedges. As of now, it’s one of the few metals made exclusively for use in golf clubs.
Wedges highlight one of golf’s paradoxes. Missing greens isn’t particularly fun but the short game shots that arise as a result often are incredibly fun. For me, years of struggling with ball-striking consistency has led to some level of proficiency with my wedges, and so I tend to look at a missed green as an opportunity to do something cool. The Cleveland CBZ wedge is the kind of club that makes that opportunity even more exciting.
Conclusion
The Cleveland CBZ wedge is the best cavity back wedge I have played. In looks, sound, feel, and performance it over-delivers. It is a no-brainer choice for a golfer who games a cavity back iron and wants to add new wedges that deliver similar forgiveness.
Buy the Cleveland CBZ Wedge HERE
Cleveland CBZ Wedge Price & Specs
Contributor at Plugged In Golf
Dylan Thaemert is a clinical mental health therapist living in the Twin Cities area. He is passionate about travel, the arts, and is always searching for ways to increase his knowledge of the game of golf.