Cleveland RTX Full-Face Wedge

When you open the face for a flop or a greenside bunker shot, contact moves toward the toe. On a normal wedge that area is smooth or barely grooved, so the ball skids. The RTX Full-Face runs grooves all the way to the top toe, so an open-face shot still catches grooves and holds spin. If you rarely open the face, the benefit is smaller, but for players who like to manufacture short-game shots it's a real difference.

It's more forgiving than a tour blade wedge, yes. The wide sole with heel and toe relief keeps the leading edge from digging, which is the main mistake higher handicappers make in sand and off tight lies. The high launch design also helps get the ball up without a perfect strike. It won't fix a bad swing, but it's easier to use than a thin, low-bounce grind.

The full-face design shows off most in the higher lofts, so the 56, 58, and 60 are the sweet spot for greenside and bunker play. A 54 works well as an all-around sand wedge. The 50 and 52 fill your gap wedge slot for full swings, though the full-face grooves matter less there since you rarely open those clubs way up. Match the loft to the gap in your set below your pitching wedge.

The ZipCore is the more traditional players wedge with a standard face and multiple grind options for shaping shots. The Full-Face trades some of that shot-shaping flexibility for the full-face grooves and a wide, versatile sole that favors open-face and high-launch play. If you want a blade profile and precise grind fitting, look at the ZipCore. If you want maximum spin on open shots and an easier sole out of the sand, the Full-Face is the pick.

It is. The C-shaped sole has enough bounce and width to keep the club moving through the sand instead of digging in, which is exactly what you want on a standard splash shot. The heel and toe relief lets you open the face for a shorter, higher bunker shot without the leading edge riding up. Players who chunk or blade bunker shots will find it more predictable than a narrow, low-bounce sole.