Cleveland CBX Wedge

How would Cleveland's new wedge offering go down in our hands?

Cleveland CBX wedge
The new Cleveland CBX wedge
Golf Monthly Verdict

The CBX wedge was a great all-round package. It inspires confidence without looking clunky, offers a soft feel, excellent control and high levels of forgiveness through the turf. The wide sole helps in bunkers, while the narrower heel section allows the face to be opened slightly. Very impressive in all areas of short game performance.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Exceptional stability and spin control with a surprising level of feel and versatility

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Players who prefer low bounce may be left wanting

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Cleveland CBX Wedge Review - Golf Monthly's Cleveland CBX Wedge Review, a wedge designed for golfers that play cavity back irons

Cleveland CBX Wedge Review

Key Technology Cleveland say the CBX wedge is more forgiving than a blade-style wedge thanks to its cavity back design, while maintaining short game versatility. It features the same Rotex Face seen on the Cleveland RTX 3 wedge that helps produce more spin for enhanced greenside control.

A Dual-V Sole Grind and progressively wider sole from heel to toe aids forgiveness through the turf and on bunker shots turf. Feel Balancing Technology, where the CG is positioned closer to the centre of the clubface, improves feel, clubhead stability and distance control. It comes with the new Dynamic Gold 115 shaft, a lighter and softer wedge shaft offering.

Tech Talk: Cleveland CBX Wedges

Aimed At The CBX wedge is aimed at the 84 per cent golfers that already play cavity back irons.

How we tested We took the 56˚ model to our local short game practice area, hitting a variety of lengths of shot from different lies using premium balls to assess control, flight and feel.

GM REVIEW

Looks The CBX will be larger than most wedges on the market but still has an appealing profile that isn’t too round or has too much offset - inspiring confidence without looking chunky.

Feel/Sound This wedge feels solid and stable from a large area on the face and is surprisingly soft for this type of design. It doesn’t sound especially ‘clicky’ and while it’s not quite as soft as a forged or muscleback wedge, it’s not far off at all.

CBX-wedge-address

Versatility The wide sole makes the CBX wedge ideal for diggers who hit down a lot on the ball while the narrower heel section allows the clubface to be opened up for more high-tariff shots if the situation demands.

Performance It’s often said that wedges that make up part of a cavity back iron set lack any real versatility. The CBX is very different. Plenty of thought has gone into its design to help golfers hit a variety of shots while the lighter swing weight makes the transition from your pitching wedge more seamless. The level of control is up there with any wedge I’ve tested and the wide sole and V-shape design in both directions makes them almost unduffable.

I’d prefer a little less bounce (only one bounce option is available) and the flight on full shots was a touch high, but for the majority of golfers, the sole shaping will work well on both full shots, pitches and chips. The progressive profile, moving from more iron like in the low lofts to more rounded in the higher lofts, will increase confidence.

 

Deputy Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 14 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all equipment and video content at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader or viewer find exactly what they are looking for.

One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 2.8.

Joel's current What's In The Bag?

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 S shaft.

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°

Irons: Titleist T150, 4-PW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10, 50°, 54° and 58°

Putter: LAB Golf DF3

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x