
The ultimate open-face specialist — full-face groove coverage with ZipCore technology delivers maximum spin from sand and rough on every shot across the entire clubface.
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The Cleveland RTX Full-Face 2 is the most specialized wedge in golf — and for a specific set of shots, it is the best. The defining feature is full-face groove coverage that extends from heel to toe and up to the topline, ensuring aggressive spin on open-face bunker shots, flop shots, and partial swings where contact moves across the face. Combined with Cleveland's ZipCore technology and a heat-treated 4140 carbon steel face, the RTX Full-Face 2 generates spin rates that compete with the best wedges in the category while maintaining those numbers on off-center strikes better than any traditional design. Across 12 sources spanning expert reviews, data-driven testing, forum consensus, and retail feedback, this wedge earns consistent praise as the best greenside weapon available for creative short-game players.
Where sources converge most strongly: bunker and greenside performance. Golf Monthly called the spin difference on open-face shots immediately obvious compared to traditional wedges. Forum users on GolfWRX and Reddit describe it as the best bunker wedge they have ever played. MyGolfSpy's testing confirmed spin rates competitive with the best in class, with better retention on mishits. The second-generation V-shaped sole grind is also a meaningful improvement over the original RTX Full-Face, reducing digging on tight lies and firm turf while maintaining the clean entry through sand that makes this wedge special. At $169, it undercuts Titleist Vokey SM10 and TaylorMade MG4 pricing while delivering a capability neither competitor offers.
Where opinions diverge: versatility and aesthetics. Several expert reviewers noted that the Full-Face 2 works best as a dedicated greenside weapon in the 56-60 degree range, not as a replacement for a traditional gap or approach wedge. For full swings from the fairway, a standard Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore or Vokey SM10 offers a more conventional look and marginally better distance control. The appearance also splits opinion — the grooves running to the topline look purposeful to most golfers but distracting to a vocal minority. And while Cleveland has a strong wedge heritage, brand cachet trails Titleist in the amateur market. None of these drawbacks undermine what the Full-Face 2 does best: it is the definitive bunker and flop-shot wedge, and no competitor matches its specialized capability at this price.
The ultimate open-face specialist — full-face groove coverage with ZipCore technology delivers maximum spin from sand and rough on every shot across the entire clubface.
The defining feature: grooves extend across the entire clubface, from heel to toe and right to the topline. This means aggressive open-face bunker shots and flop shots generate meaningful spin even when contact moves toward the toe or high on the face. Golf Monthly noted that no other wedge on the market delivers this level of spin consistency on off-center open-face strikes. For greenside creativity, this design is genuinely differentiated.
Cleveland's ZipCore insert shifts CG lower for better launch while the heat-treated 4140 carbon steel face maintains aggressive groove edges. MyGolfSpy testing measured spin rates competitive with the best wedges in the category, and the full-face groove pattern means those spin numbers hold up on mishits and partial-face contact better than traditional designs.
Forum and retail consensus converges strongly on bunker performance. The full-face grooves combined with a versatile sole grind make this wedge exceptionally effective from greenside bunkers and thick rough. Multiple forum users describe it as the best bunker wedge they have ever played, with the extended grooves preventing the thin, spinless shots that plague traditional wedges on steep open-face swings.
Despite the specialized appearance, reviewers found the Full-Face 2 surprisingly versatile for bump-and-runs, pitch shots, and standard approach wedge play. The V-shaped sole grind reduces digging and maintains clean turf interaction across different lie angles. Experts noted it handles tight lies better than the original RTX Full-Face, a clear improvement in the second generation.
At $169, the RTX Full-Face 2 undercuts premium wedges from Titleist Vokey ($185) and TaylorMade MG4 ($180) while delivering a genuinely unique capability. Forum users frequently cite the price as a major selling point, especially for golfers who want a dedicated short-game weapon without paying the premium brand tax.
The full-face design excels around the green but is not a one-wedge solution. Several reviewers noted that for full approach shots from the fairway, a traditional wedge like the Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore or Vokey SM10 offers a more conventional look at address and marginally better distance control. The Full-Face 2 works best as a dedicated greenside wedge in higher lofts (56-60), not as an all-purpose gap wedge.
The grooves running to the topline create a distinctive look that some golfers find confidence-inspiring and others find distracting. Forum sentiment is split roughly 60/40 in favor, but the minority who dislike the appearance feel strongly about it. At address, the extended grooves are visible and can draw the eye away from the target line for some players.
While Cleveland has a strong heritage in wedges, brand perception among amateur golfers lags behind Titleist Vokey and TaylorMade's Milled Grind series. Forum users acknowledge Cleveland makes excellent wedges but note that the brand carries less cachet in the bag, which matters to some golfers. Tour usage, while solid, trails Vokey significantly.
The RTX Full-Face 2 is available in fewer bounce and grind combinations than the standard RTX 6 ZipCore or Vokey SM10. Golfers who need specific sole configurations for their course conditions or swing type may find the selection limiting. The V-shaped sole works well for most conditions but is not as tuneable as Vokey's array of grinds.
Forum and retail consensus is unusually aligned on this wedge: the full-face grooves deliver on the promise and the price is right. The debate is not whether the RTX Full-Face 2 works — it is whether you need a specialized bunker and flop wedge at all, or whether a traditional wedge handles enough of those shots to not justify a dedicated slot in the bag. Players who struggle from sand or love creative greenside play consider it essential; minimalists see it as a luxury.
13 quotes from across the web, grouped by 6 themes. Click a theme to read the individual quotes.
Premium shafts available at additional cost: Graphite Design Tour AD VF, Tour AD UB, Tour AD DI
This review synthesizes opinions from 12 independent sources. Every claim on this page can be traced back to its original source. No manufacturer relationship or compensation.
The consensus score is built in four layers: raw source collection, normalization to a 0-10 scale, credibility-weighted combination, and quality adjustments.
Expert reviews (35% weight) are scored from language intensity and any numerical ratings provided. Data-driven testing (25%) converts product rank within the test group to a percentile score. Forum posts (30%) are AI-classified by sentiment, weighted by substantiveness. Retail reviews (10%) convert 5-star ratings with a 0.75x credibility discount to correct for systematic inflation.
Three quality adjustments are then applied: a source diversity bonus (up to +0.3 for coverage across all source types), a conflict penalty (up to -0.3 when sources strongly disagree), and recency weighting (recent reviews weighted higher than older ones).