Cleveland CG 16 Wedge

Roger Cleveland founded Cleveland Golf based in Huntington Beach, California back in 1979. Originally, they were producing replicas classic golf clubs from the 40s and 50s and were very good with their wedges and now produces a full range of golf clubs. 

Roger Cleveland sold his company in 1990 to ski manufacturer Rossignol who were later acquired by Quicksilver in 2005. In 2007, Quicksilver sold Cleveland Golf and its subsidiary Never Compromise (putter) to Japan-based SRI Sports who owns Dunlop. It was later consolidated with Srixon. 

Most beginners or quite many golfers still play with a wedge that comes in a whole and complete set and it looks exactly like the other irons in the set. There is nothing wrong using these wedges except that if you really hope to improve on your short game in the long run, you will need to replace them with sharper surgical tools. A very good golfer can still play well with poorer equipment of course but excellent wedges when handled well is like a magic wand within a 100m to the green - a beautiful trajectory, parachute drop, check, bite and stop. 

The first really superb wedge that I started with was a 56 degrees Cleveland Tour Action 588 gun metal which I have since lost one and kept this one to date. Needless to say I struggled with it at first because it looks different and felt different in the hands compared to standard set wedge. Take a look at this beauty.

A standard set wedge feels uniform because they were inserted as part of a set and shares similar shaft flex, weight and its swing weight is progressive from the last iron. A specialised wedge would be different in all these characteristics. The 588 Tour Action actually could rust on its own. Some folks argued that rust will create more spin from a wedge. I do not believe this theory to be true simply because rust creates a layer that prevents contact with the club face surface. The face of a wedge is created with grooves some "U" shaped and some "V" shaped grooves to provide spin. Others have milled/lined surfaces to further cut a ball and add even more backspin. 

The world's top wedges are Titleist's Vokey Design and Cleveland's CG series. Both are highly popular and Tour proven. The CG series have evolved from the CG10, 12, 14 and now CG16. Based on the shape of the CG14, the CG16 has just a hint of offset and is marginally larger for added forgiveness. The CG16 feature the same spin maximising technology of the CG15 - the Tour Zip Grooves combined with Cleveland breakthrough Laser Milled surface roughness technology. Precision laser accuracy creates perfectly four calibrated texture lines milled between each groove which conforms to limit of the rules of golf. Wedges are not known to have cavities and these nifty cavities at the back besides being useful are actually quite attractive.

Perimeter weighting geometry deepens the CG (centre of gravity) to increase MOI (Moment of Inertia). MOI when translated in layman's term simply means forgiveness. While the 588 Tour Action looks more like a blade, the CG16 has two pockets at the toe and heel as perimeter weighting. These offers improved stability on top of being more forgiving with a signature Cleveland feel.

The sole is wide enough and is constant from toe to heel such that it offers dexterity when hitting bunker shots and yet perform shot-making ability.

Golf Digest gave it a 5-Star rating for performance. An excellent wedge will make the ball hang in the air on full shots, check more when it hits the green from the fairway or bunker, operates well from tight lies and even when opening up for delicate flop shots and keeping shots closer to the flag.

Wedges are specialised equipment and needed to be sharp so usually you do not think forgiveness like how driving a sports car is different from a typical saloon car. The words "laser milled" were imprinted at both ends of the lines on the surface to show they mean business.

Feel is soft, clean, solid but crisp. If you have played any Vokey or Cleveland and like their feel, this one is in the same alley. If you have trouble with your short game, hate to practise or have no time to, this is far better than many others in the market. Scratch players could also play this. Shaft is Cleveland Golf Traction shaft where the tip section is slightly softer to improve responsiveness and feel. 

Standard Bounce wedges are identified by 2 red dots with a 12 degrees bounce and good when playing from softer turf and fluffy sand. Swing weight for this 60 degrees is at D5. 

The grooves and laser milled lines look like they can actually grab the ball and spin the ball to dizzying heights. I like my wedges to be "Black Pearl" rather than satin for obvious reasons like glare  during set up and they somehow look cleaner. Choosing this wedge if you were looking for one is a no brainer as it is one that is as versatile as any out there. Just remember that each loft plays to a different distance. So you would normally want to have a 50 degrees, 54 and 58 degrees or 52 degrees, 56 and 60 degrees so that you will have a loft/distance gap of 4 degrees each equal to about 20 yards difference every 4 degrees. Depending on your own game, some may choose 50, 56, 60.

This is as forgiving as a Golden Retriever. They were historically developed as gun-dogs to retrieve water-fowls like ducks and birds during hunting seasons. The dog is a friendly and devoted family companion. It has a gentle nature, always happy, forever trusting and forgiving. With a wedge like a Golden Retriever, you can trust it for its friendliness and forgiving nature and you will retrieve all your shots near and around the green bringing you delight and happiness. Special thanks to "Vin" here.

Golf as in life, play as it lies.