Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore wedge £159
GM verdict
The Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore wedge is the latest in a long line of blade wedges from the brand that stretches back to 1979. The numbering has come back and before any of you ask where RTX 5 went, it was actually the previous Cleveland RTX Zipcore wedge that skipped the nomenclature.
Most of the innovations in the RTX 6 are not visible to the naked eye. In the hosel, the Zipcore insert is made of up to 95 per cent more aluminium and silicon material than before. This is lighter than the 8620 carbon steel and therefore saves weight in the hosel, which can be moved elsewhere in the head to make the RTX 6 more forgiving.
The Ultizip grooves on the face are sharper, deeper and closer together than before and vary in dimensions according to the loft of the face. The space between the grooves also includes laser-milled lines, and the whole face is treated with Hydrazip blasting and has more of a matte finish than before to maximise friction. We are yet to be able to fully verify the claim of more spin from wet lies, but suffice to say the spin was excellent. We got more bite than we expected when the ball was sitting down, and the low ball flight on longer chips and pitch shots was obvious and gave us more control.
The Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore wedge features a relatively heavy 126g True
Temper Dynamic
Gold steel shaft.
While this makes the club feel slightly heavier in your hand, during the swing the extra weight gives you more control and we preferred being able to relax our hands and let the weight of the club do the work. A graphite shaft option is also available for a lighter feel.
There are a wide variety of lofts from 46° to 60° in a good range of bounces, including a new 8° Low+ option in the 54° and 56° heads. They have a more pronounced C-grind and, like all the RTX 6 heads, the tri-bounce sole features different types of leading edge to match the type of shot you wish to play.
There is very little to fault in this comprehensive range of RTX 6 Zipcore wedges from Cleveland. It has every option covered and the balance, bounce and grip mean you should definitely consider them for your bag. They bring more forgiveness and wet-condition spin to the course in a classy-looking head.
Abacus Bounce jacket
This rain jacket screams premium quality as soon as you put it on. It is made of a unique material consisting of three bonded layers that provide waterproof protection with allimportant breathability. Overall, this makes for a very lightweight jacket that allows you to swing freely while making barely any noise. Heat-sealed seams, a fully waterproof front zipper, a drawstring hem, tapered wrists and a stand-up collar add to the appeal.
Taylormade Stealth HD iron
Taylormade has created a very low-profile head with a shallow face height and wide sole in its attempts to produce a high, draw-biased flight for the slower swinger. Our testing showed it had no problem getting the ball up in the air and turning over from right to left. It was around ten yards shorter than the Stealth iron, but it flew four yards higher. Despite the unconventional looks, this iron delivers for the slower-swinging golfer.
Skycaddie LX2 GPS watch
For those who want Skycaddie’s industry-leading accuracy in a simple GPS watch, the LX2 is an appealing prospect. Built on a lightweight 57g frame with a 3.25cm touchscreen, the graphics are easy to read and intuitive. The watch also has a scoring tracker where you can enter shots taken, number of putts, GIR and fairways hit or missed. An upgrade for an annual fee is required to see extra details, like hole maps with a movable crosshair.
Mizuno RB Tour X ball
The latest version of this ball now features an ultra-soft urethane cover and a new dimple design for a higher flight off the tee and a flatter trajectory with the wedges. During testing, the ball delivered on these promises with a powerful flight off the tee, good height with a mid-iron and plenty of control with pitch shots. We noticed it took a lot longer to begin to cut up than the previous model. For the price, it’s one of the best all-rounders.
£35 per dozen
Liveview Pro 2 training aid
This device connects ‘feel versus real’ by live streaming a video of your swing to your smart device positioned elsewhere. It’s light, compact and comes with a flexible tripod that allows you to position it securely on any object behind you, making it easy to use on the course or at the range. The quality of the video relay could be improved, but it wasn’t jumpy and you can even draw lines and circles on the screen to help groove a new technique.
Yonex Ezone Elite 4 driver
This may be a less expensive driver, but it doesn’t skimp on performance. The oversize crown will inspire confidence in the mid-to-high handicapper and we love the rich blue finish. The impact sound is on the loud side, but it was certainly competitive in terms of ball speed. The spin was a little high, although this will help slower swingers maximise carry distances. It’s a great option for golfers who are looking for a new driver on a budget.