About this review This review is my honest opinion of the driver, which I tested in November 2020.

My take

The 2020 Cleveland ZipCore Wedge is a 58 degree wedge with the Mid 10 degree Bounce/Grind and the Tour Satin finish. This club is used by professionals, however, I think there are some game improvement qualities that can benefit mid to low handicap amateurs as well.

About the club I tested

• Model: 2020 Cleveland ZipCore Wedge
• Loft: 58 degree
• Bounce: Mid-10 degree
• Grind: Mid-10 degree
• Finish: Tour Satin

Test conditions

• When I tested the wedge: November 2020
• Days tested: 400+
• Where I’ve used it: Arizona
• Weather Conditions: Dry, Hot
• Green Conditions: Natural Grass, Dry and Hard

About me

• Average Score: 81
• Handicap: 8.8
• Experience: 25 years
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Golf Ball Used: Srixon Z-Star XV and OnCore Vero X1
• Angle Of Attack Normal

How it performs

What I was looking for

My previous gamer, the Callaway Mack Daddy 4, was just too hard at impact. Too clicky and virtually had no feel. I needed a consistent club that I can confidently stop at pins from within 70-85 yards. I also need to have control from approximately 50 yards in, and even from just off the fringe. Having a club that can attack such a wide range of yardages while providing control and a soft feel is a tall order.

Why I chose this club

I chose this club due to the fact that prior to my two year phase with Callaway wedges, I had played Cleveland wedges for 20 years. So I wanted to give them another try since I was not that happy with the Callaway Mack Daddy 4. I also was very interested in the Satin finish as my Callaway clubs were mirror chrome and the reflection was unbearable. I actually tested the Vokey SM8 alongside the Cleveland, but chose Cleveland for its forgiveness and feel.

What I love about it

• Launch: I found the launch to be predictable and fortunately, it does not balloon which provides a feeling of confidence.
• Forgiveness: I love the forgiveness of this club. While this is not strictly a “Game Improvement” wedge, I got better with it.
• Bounce: The bounce promotes square face contact and proper ground interaction.
• Around the Green: Around the green, the ZipCore had a soft feeling as long as it was not muted with short chips.
• Full Shots: I feel very confident in full shots with the ZipCore and with that, I feel the confidence to be aggressive.
• Aesthetic Appeal: I love the look of this club and not just in aesthetic design, but also in function reduced glare. The toe portion of the club is milled and it diffracts the light away instead of reflecting into my eye.
• Innovation: I think the innovations in the ZipCore Wedge are noteworthy, and all the technology is hidden so the club maintains a contemporary yet classic profile. One of the technologies hidden in the club is the ZipCore material, which is a lightweight core in the hosel and heel that replaces the heavier steel. This allows them to increase MOI which makes it a more forgiving club head with a repositioned CG compared to older models. It also has a super high heat-treated face to allow the wedge to be more durable longer. Some of the more visible tech is in the face. There are more grooves that are closer and the sharpest Cleveland has made making the face impart more friction and spin on the ball. The Cleveland ZipCore has all of this technology and still maintains a contemporary yet classic head profile.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Feel: The feel is so soft that it can be considered muted and it takes a little time getting used to it. While it seems at first that it doesn’t provide much feedback, I did eventually get used to it. However, it may be too numb for some players.
• Spin: The spin is not game changing. It is an appropriate amount of spin but not more so than my last wedges, the Callaway Mack Daddy 4.
• Bounce: While I liked the bounce for full shots it needs more heel relief to allow open face flop shots.
• Grip Feel: I cannot speak on the stock grip as I changed grips to WINN immediately.
• Shaft Feel: The shaft is a True Temper Spinner shaft. It feels a little soft and some players may want to get a more stiff shaft. However, on short chips and flop shots, the soft flex does help impart more spin.

Best Shot with this Wedge

I’ve had some great shots with this wedge, including full shots of around 85 yards out that drop and stop, setting me up for birdie putts. I’ve had nice, low bump-and-runs helping me save par. One of my favorite shots with the ZipCore was my third shot to an uphill green on a very difficult par 5. I hit it flush from about 78 yards out and I saw it fly close to the flag but couldn’t see where the ball finally ended up since I was well below the green. When I got up to the green, there it was a few feet from the hole, and I then putted in for a birdie. At first, I had mixed feelings about this wedge. Now, I’ve had enough great shots with it that I’m confident this is the club for me. In fact, I’m going to buy another at 52 to replace the Callaway 52 that I still have in the bag.

Value for the money vs. other options

Let me try and objectively explain my current game. I started this project at a 9.5 USGA handicap and two months later, I’m an 8.8. Boom! Was it the wedge? Or was it the scrutiny of the short game? Who knows? But I’m going to say some of the credit does in fact go to the wedge.

The Cleveland ZipCore wedge looks great and has great results with a forgiving and accurate level of performance. This wedge works and I’ve gotten better with this club. I suspect others will as well. It’s not widely considered a “game improvement” wedge, but it did that for me and I’m willing to bet it will help others as well. It’s not as expensive as the TaylorMade MD2, the Vokey SM8, or the Callaway Jaws, but I’m certain it provides just as good of performance if not better in some facets.

Final verdict

My conclusion is that the Cleveland ZipCore wedge will fit the games of the overwhelming majority of amateur golfers. It’s a great club with new technology in a classic package. I don’t think golfers can go wrong with this club. It’s accurate, forgiving, and has sufficient spin green side. Its sole and bounce fits many game styles and even helps promote solid contact.