Cleveland Golf has officially launched the new RTZ 2 wedges, successfully retaining the core strengths of the original RTZ while incorporating fresh enhancements from Roger Cleveland. The primary question remains: do these new wedges perform well, and do they meet the high standards Cleveland has established over the years?
I tested a set of RTZ 2 wedges over several rounds to evaluate their performance, and after 26 holes, I have formed a clear opinion on them.
Cleveland RTZ 2 wedges: Look and feel
Upon unboxing the RTZ 2 wedges provided by Cleveland, I was immediately impressed. The design features clean, subtle graphics and is available in three distinct finishes to accommodate various player preferences. The overall silhouette remains quintessentially Cleveland, appearing quite similar to previous models, with one notable exception: the leading edge.
Cleveland appears to have opted for a slightly straighter leading edge, a design choice I personally appreciate. I anticipated that the continued use of Cleveland’s Z-Alloy would provide a soft feel, consistent with the original RTZ wedges, and I was not disappointed. Well-struck shots feel remarkably soft, comparable to a forged wedge, while off-center hits avoid feeling overly firm or clicky. Even the most discerning traditionalists should be pleased with the aesthetic and tactile quality of the new RTZ 2.
Cleveland RTZ 2 wedges: Performance
High expectations are natural whenever Cleveland introduces a new wedge. Their legacy of producing exceptional equipment sets a high bar, and in my experience, the RTZ 2 cleared it easily. Spin rates were consistently high from all types of lies on the course. Here in Metro Detroit, we deal with long, lush rough that typically reduces spin around the green, yet the RTZ 2 kept those shots tight and predictable.
From deep lies, the ball would release, but the result remained consistent and never ran away from the landing spot. Compared to other wedges, the RTZ 2 retains spin from the rough quite effectively. When playing from the fairway, you should not expect much release, so it is best to fly the ball directly to your target. Even partial shots landed on the green and stopped abruptly, often within inches of their pitch mark. The overall ball flight is mid-launch for me; it is easy to hit higher, but I had no trouble flighting the ball down while maintaining significant spin.
I tested both the Mid and 588 soles in my set and found that both performed admirably in the soft conditions common in Michigan. The Mid sole is stable on full swings and provides excellent turf interaction with minimal digging.
On the 50-degree wedge, the Mid sole is ideal for full shots, while the Mid sole on the 58-degree model offers additional relief on the heel, trailing edge, and toe. This relief allows for versatility in various positions while keeping the leading edge low to the turf for clean contact. The 588 sole is rated at 8 degrees of bounce but plays as if it has more, as I never encountered issues with digging on soft fairways. It moves through the turf efficiently and is more versatile than one might expect.
The leading edge will not remain flush with the turf when the face is opened wide, but this provides extra bounce for float in soft sand or deep rough. There are numerous other grind options available to suit different swings, course conditions, and preferred shot types.
The return of Roger Cleveland to help develop the new RTZ 2 wedges is a compelling story that has resulted in some fantastic equipment. Minor adjustments to the shaping provide a great look from every angle, while the new ZipCoreIQ ensures consistent center-of-gravity placement for optimal performance. Every shot feels and sounds soft, and the face and groove technology deliver impressive spin from any lie. With the variety of grinds and finishes Cleveland offers, there is an RTZ 2 wedge suitable for every type of golfer.
Mizuno Pro S-4 irons review: A great new playable CB!
Mizuno recently debuted the latest addition to its Signature line of irons, the Pro S-4. The Signature series offers a unique approach in the iron market, providing multiple options for skilled players to find their ideal fit through subtle variations. Mizuno also intends to keep these irons in their lineup for several years, allowing players to maintain a set that works for their game. You can view our full launch article for all the details on the new Pro S-4 irons here.
When I first took these irons out of the box, I was greeted by the familiar White Satin Brush Finish used on previous Signature models, the Pro S-1 and Pro S-3. I enjoy this finish, as it provides a classic chrome aesthetic with a glare-resistant texture that looks excellent at address.
I will be transparent: these irons feature some offset for players who prefer or require it. Many skilled players actually favor a bit of offset in their irons. The offset is not excessive and, in truth, it blends into the clubhead after a few swings, making it easy to ignore. The shape of these irons is impressive, featuring a more compact profile and a slightly shorter blade length than the Pro S-3. The topline is thin, and the toe has a slightly sharper appearance that I believe most better players will appreciate.
Mizuno states that the new Pro S-4 features a lower center of gravity for increased launch and forgiveness, and this is noticeable during play. My launch window was pleasantly high, similar to the players-distance irons I have been using lately. Even when impact occurred lower on the face, I was rewarded with a high shot that maintained stopping power upon reaching the green.
The 4-iron flew a bit flatter than I would prefer, but at this stage in my golf career, I would likely replace that club with a utility iron or hybrid for greater consistency. Control remained excellent, and the added launch, combined with the spin generated, resulted in a ball that had minimal release on the green. Even from deep rough, shots would land on the green and stop near their pitch mark, giving me the confidence to be more aggressive with my approach shots.
Forgiveness is certainly improved for a single-piece forged cavity back iron, and I find the Pro S-4 to be very playable for this style of club. My misses, which usually occur low on the face or toward the toe, flew much straighter and higher than I anticipated. When I made contact low on the face, those shots ended up either just in front of the green or on the front edge.
Those misses did not leave me in difficult positions, which can happen when playing an iron that lacks a face designed to maintain ball speed. Center strikes feel fantastic, as expected from a Mizuno forging with a copper underlay. Each well-struck shot was met with a satisfying thud and the sensation of the ball compressing off the face.
Turf interaction is excellent thanks to Mizuno’s Triple Cut sole. During my testing, Michigan experienced several wet days that softened most of the courses. I can be a bit steep with my iron shots, but the Triple Cut sole kept my divots shallow and controlled without allowing the iron to dig or lose speed at the low point. Even on average fairways, the sole moved through the turf with ease, and I never felt hindered in making clean contact with the center of the face.
Overall, the Mizuno Pro S-4 irons are a welcome addition to the Signature lineup. Their higher-launch design and added forgiveness provide better players with another option to dial in their setup. To me, there is enough distinction between these and the Pro S-3 for both to coexist, and players will naturally gravitate toward the model that best suits their game.
Tour Edge Exotics Milled wedge review – Club Junkie Reviews
Tour Edge has released its new Exotics Milled wedges for players seeking a versatile tool around the greens. The team invested significant effort into offering a wide range of sole options to accommodate any course condition, swing style, or shot type. You can find the full details in our launch article HERE.
Upon unboxing the wedges, I was impressed by the clean, traditional aesthetic Tour Edge chose. Previous models from the brand featured unique looks in both shape and cosmetics, but these Exotics Milled wedges possess the appearance that better players expect both at address and in the bag. Looking down at the wedges, you see a classic profile with a slightly longer heel-to-toe length. The leading edge is relatively straight, and the Exotics Milled features no offset.
A satin finish and milled face reduce most glare, though you might catch a faint hint of brightness at the perfect angle. This only occurred once for me and never happened again throughout my rounds. Regarding the milled face, it is clear they prioritized creating a wedge that generates maximum spin from any lie.
On the course, the Exotics Milled wedges are strong performers. I tested a 56-degree Mid Bounce (MB) wedge and was generally impressed. It was a wet day, and while there was no standing water, the fairways were quite soft. I was particularly impressed with how the 10 degrees of bounce on the MB handled the soft fairways and wet rough.
The pre-worn leading edge helped the wedge move through the turf without digging, and it performed well in deep rough. The wedge moved smoothly and quickly through most lies across the course. I noticed that when the ball was buried in the rough, I could strike down on it for a solid result, and when the ball was sitting up, the sole prevented me from sliding underneath it.
The Exotics Milled wedges really excelled out of the rough, allowing me to make the most of those situations. The sand traps were firm and compact due to the rain, so I hit my first shot a bit low on the face and over the green. After that, I adjusted, and as long as I maintained the correct entry point, I hit some very nice bunker shots. The sole performs best on shots played square to the target, but you can still open the face for higher-lofted shots.
Spin on the course was definitely high, providing plenty of control. Clean fairway lies resulted in shots that checked up quickly with little to no release. Full shots would land and spin back significantly, while partial shots stopped right next to their pitch marks. The deep rough reduced some spin, as expected, but I still maintained control and could easily predict the rollout. Even small pitch and chip shots checked up well before releasing toward the hole. I hit a shot over a bunker with the face slightly open that dropped onto the green and rolled out barely two or three feet. That soft landing capability allows you to be more aggressive and get shots closer to the hole from anywhere.
At a starting price of $120, these Exotics Milled wedges represent one of the best values in golf. The 304 stainless steel construction provides a soft feel, and the thoughtful sole designs help players select the best wedge for their specific game. If you are in the market for new wedges this year, you should definitely give the Tour Edge Exotics Milled a try around the greens.
The data decides: AVL’s L.A.B. Golf VZN.1 putter review
In mid-July, I was competing in Final Qualifying for the U.S. Amateur. I traveled to Emerald Valley Golf Course in Creswell, Oregon, just outside Eugene, where L.A.B. Golf’s headquarters are located on the property.
After speaking with my friend Jamie, he connected me with the L.A.B. team to visit their headquarters and get fitted for a putter. A putter fitting right before a qualifier? Yes, that is the level of obsession I have when it comes to tinkering. However, it was more than that; knowing the technology at L.A.B., this was an opportunity to support my putting stroke with actual data.
I met with Calvin Green and Cade Stubbs, who are skilled players themselves and have fitted thousands of L.A.B. putters. Walking into their fitting studio felt like being a kid in a candy store.
For the fitting, I based the putter’s look on what I have traditionally used: a mallet with a single line and alignment aids on the back. That matched the style of the new VZN.1. I tested several shafts, including steel, Gears, Diamana, and TPT. I prefer a firmer feel and an audible click off the face, and the VZN.1 with a TPT shaft provided exactly that.
Using Quintic putting analysis, I discovered that no forward-press grip was necessary for my stroke, and zero shaft lean was the ideal setup. It was highly informative to see my stroke tempo and the camera footage showing how the ball rolls. My putter was spec’d at a 71-degree lie angle.
Calvin and Cade had me hit putts from 30 feet, 15 feet, and then the 4-foot sliders often seen on the course. It was useful to observe how the putter and I reacted in each scenario. I also chose the heavier weight option, which is similar to the putter I have used for years.
Brian Parks, VP of Engineering at L.A.B., explained that the brain perceives torque as weight. That is why someone picking up an L.A.B. putter for the first time might say it feels light; it is actually the absence of torque, even though the putter has more mass than traditional models.
When the putter arrived, I went to the practice green to test the VZN.1 with the TPT shaft. With the newer balanced feel, I spent 20 minutes hitting the longest putts I could find. It took discipline to keep going as I practiced 40-footers and beyond. A highlight of the session was holing a putt from 37 paces. The sound and feel matched my preferences, and I enjoyed a firm, stable sensation with the TPT shaft.
From there, I hit standard putts from 15 to 25 feet to work on speed control, followed by using a string to practice from 8 feet and in. It felt great, so it was time to head to the course.
A few days later, I brought the putter out for its inaugural round. It felt excellent; the sun seemed brighter and the air crisper with a new club in the bag. I rolled the putter beautifully. One thing I have noticed with the VZN is that the ball rolls end-over-end throughout the entire putt. The ball looks the same at the end of the roll as it did when I picked up my ball mark.
In the first few rounds, I made more mid-range putts and was very consistent on short ones. If anything, I would occasionally roll the ball a few feet past the hole because it was tracking so well. With this putter, the ball appears to lose speed but still tracks toward the hole because the end-over-end roll is so pure.
I have been using the putter for three weeks and am thoroughly enjoying it. My speed control and line have been excellent. Knowing the ball is rolling so true, I have to look in the mirror for my green-reading skills. Another piece of advice I learned from the L.A.B. Golf team was to use lighter thumb pressure during the stroke. This allows the putter to swing freely and lets the technology function as intended. Thumb pressure during the stroke is associated with putter head torque, which is more common in arc-style strokes. This is a good reminder for me, as grip pressure affects all clubs.
So far, the results on the greens have been positive, and I learned several things from the fitting that I can apply to my game. The road to optimization is always under construction.
