RTX ZipCore Vs. RTX 6 Wedges: A Detailed Comparison

For golfers looking to upgrade their short game, Cleveland Golf’s RTX wedge series offers some of the best performing and most forgiving wedges on the market. Two of Cleveland’s most popular wedge lines are the RTX ZipCore and RTX 6.

But what exactly sets these two wedge models apart?

In this in-depth guide, we’ll discuss the key differences between Cleveland’s RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 wedges to help you decide which model best fits your game. We’ll cover the technologies behind each wedge, compare forgiveness and feel, break down loft options, grind varieties, and more.

By the end, you’ll have all the details needed to confidently choose the right RTX wedge for your bag.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	RTX ZipCore	RTX 6
Groove Technology	Zip Grooves	Enhanced ZipCore+
Groove Benefit	Increases backspin on off-center hits. Improves spin consistency.	Further boosts backspin on mishits by +200rpm over RTX ZipCore for tighter dispersion.
Feel Technology	Feel Balancing Technology	Feel Balancing Technology+
Feel Benefit	Optimizes weight placement for soft, solid feel.	Refined weighting pushes CG even lower for enhanced feel.
Bounce Options	Tour, Mid, Mid-Wide, Full Sole	Tour, Mid, Mid-Wide, Full Sole
Grind Benefit	V Sole provides versatility from different lies and conditions.	Slightly refined sole radiusing and bounce angles.
Loft Range	46° to 60°	46° to 64°
Loft Configurations	Traditional 4° degree gapping	Specialized gap pairing options like 46/48/54 and 50/54/58
Forgiveness	Very forgiving for class of wedge	Slight improvement over RTX ZipCore due to groove enhancement
Overall	Proven wedge technologies deliver excellent performance.	Enhanced grooves and feel elevate performance another step forward.

RTX ZipCore Wedges: Highlighted Features

First released in 2019, the RTX ZipCore replaced the popular RTX-3 line and has since become a top choice for golfers wanting optimal spin and versatility around the greens. Here are some of the standout technologies and features of the RTX ZipCore:

• Zip Grooves: These micro-grooves located within the main groove increase backspin on less-than-perfect strikes for more spin consistency. This leads to better distance control.
• Center of Gravity Control: Strategic CG placement promotes a lower, more centered hit across the face for improved ball flight and distance control.
• V Sole Grinds: The V sole in RTX ZipCore wedges gradually tapers in width from mid-sole to trailing edge. This combine with bounce options allows versatility from various lies.
• Feel Balancing Technology: This positions weight low on the clubhead to ensure a smooth, solid feel at impact. RTX ZipCore provides a soft but responsive feel preferred by better players.
• Laser Milling: Computer-controlled laser milling cuts each groove to precise tolerances for unparalleled consistency across the face. This enhances spin on full and partial shots.
• Four Sole Grind Options: From low to high bounce, RTX ZipCore offers Tour, Mid, Mid-Wide, and Full Sole grinds to match swing type and common turf conditions.
• Advanced Rotex Face Texturing: Rotex patterned face milling minimizes friction for added spin and control from the rough and sand.

Also Read: Differences Between LAZRUS And Kirkland Wedges.

RTX 6 Wedges: Notable Features

Released in early 2023, the RTX 6 represents Cleveland’s latest wedge technology evolution. Building on the RTX ZipCore, here are some of the key features of the new RTX 6 line:

• ZipCore +: Enhanced Zip Grooves increase spin consistency by +200rpm on off-center hits compared to RTX ZipCore. Greatly improves distance control.
• Feel Balancing Technology +: Optimized weight placement pushes CG even lower to elevate the buttery soft, yet responsive feel through the ball. Promotes more consistent distances.
• V Sole Grinds +: Refined bounce angles and sole radiusing enhance playability and versatility from both fairway and rough lies.
• Fourth Generation Rotex Face: New Rotex pattern with tighter milling minimizes friction through grass and sand for more greenside spin.
• Laser Milling: Like RTX ZipCore, computer-controlled laser milling ensures unparalleled manufacturing precision across the face.
• Four Sole Grind Options: RTX 6 mirrors the Tour, Mid, Mid-Wide, and Full Sole grinds of the RTX ZipCore line for versatility.
• Expanded Loft Range: RTX 6 offers lofts from 46 to 64 degrees with several unique gapping options to perfectly fill distance gaps.

Key Differences Between RTX ZipCore And RTX 6 Wedges

Forgiveness and Feel Comparison

Two of the biggest factors golfers evaluate when selecting new wedges are feel and forgiveness. Let’s compare how the RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 deliver in these crucial performance categories:

• Forgiveness

With their Zip Grooves technology, both RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 offer excellent forgiveness for their class of wedge. The micro-grooves within the main grooves help increase backspin on shots hit away from the center of the face. This minimizes distance loss on mishits.

However, RTX 6 gains a slight edge in forgiveness through its enhanced ZipCore+ grooves. With the RTX 6, shots struck ±3mm from center still achieve ±200rpm more spin versus the prior RTX ZipCore design. This equates to tighter shot dispersion and better distance control on off-center impacts.

• Feel

Thanks to their low-forward CG design via Feel Balancing Technology, RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 wedges offer a superb blend of soft feel and solid feedback.

This makes them preferred by better players who rely on precise distance and trajectory control.

Both models provide an excellent pure feel, though the RTX 6 gets a small upgrade with its Feel Balancing Technology+ system.

Optimized weight placement pushes the CG even lower to further elevate the buttery yet responsive sensation through the ball.

So while both deliver that coveted soft, solid forged feel at impact, the latest RTX 6 design takes feel an incremental step forward over the prior generation RTX ZipCore.

Loft Options and Gapping

Wedge loft and gapping play a critical role in dialing distance control across your short game. Here is a breakdown of the loft and gap options available in the RTX ZipCore versus RTX 6 lines:

RTX ZipCore Lofts

RTX ZipCore wedges come in lofts from 46 to 60 degrees:

• 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°

These follow a traditional 4 degree gapping setup in the higher lofts. The RTX ZipCore provides a 46° pitching wedge option along with a 60° loft for specialized lob shots or players with steep angles of attack.

RTX 6 Lofts

The new RTX 6 expands the loft range from 46 to 64 degrees:

• 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 62°, 64°

Plus, Cleveland’s modernized gapping includes 46/48/54 and 50/54/58 pairings to optimize yardage gaps through the scoring zone. This wider range of loft options in the RTX 6 allows golfers to truly customize gapping to match their swing and common shot distances.

Also Read: Comparison of Srixon ZX7 And ZX7 Mk II Irons.

Sole Grind and Bounce Options

Cleveland equips both RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 wedges with its signature V Sole grinds. Combined with multiple bounce options, this grants versatility from different lies and conditions. Here are the sole grind choices available:

RTX ZipCore Grinds

• Tour Grind: Low bounce (1-3°). For shallow attacks and firm conditions.
• Mid Grind: Medium bounce (4-6°). Matches moderate attack angles.
• Mid-Wide Grind: Slightly higher bounce (7-9°). Adds bounce while keeping trailing edge thin.
• Full Sole Grind: Highest bounce (10-12°). Prevents digging for steep attacks and soft conditions.

RTX 6 Grinds

• Tour Grind (2-4° bounce)
• Mid Grind (4-6° bounce)
• Mid-Wide Grind (6-8° bounce)
• Full Sole Grind (8-10° bounce)

The RTX 6 implements refined sole radiusing and bounce angles to improve turf interaction, especially from the rough. But both models offer the same grind family to align with swing type.

Additional Features and Considerations

Beyond key performance technologies, Cleveland equips its RTX wedges with several other handy features:

• Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grips: Offer trusted feel and playability. Available in gray or ‘CPX’ red.
• Stock Steel Options: Choose from True Temper’s Dynamic Gold or Project X shafts.
• Customization Available: Personalize with premium shaft and exotic grip upgrades.
• Left Hand Options: Both RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 come in lefty models to fit all players.
• Wider Cavity in Longer Lofts: Extra material behind face adds stability on full shots with longer lofts.
• Cleveland’s Tour Raw Finish: Matte look minimizes glare while providing durability. Lets grooves work as intended.
• Headcover Included: Matches wedge design for a polished look.

For golfers seeking even more short game spin and precision, Cleveland also offers full-face grooved RTX ZipCore CB and RTX 6 CB cavity back wedge designs.

RTX ZipCore Or RTX 6: Which Is Better?

With their highly similar shape, sole grinds, feel characteristics, and technologies like Zip Grooves, laser milling, and Rotex face texturing, both the RTX ZipCore and latest generation RTX 6 deliver elite wedge performance.

However, the RTX 6 does claim key advantages in two categories:

1. Forgiveness: Enhanced ZipCore+ grooves improve backspin consistency on off-center hits for tighter shot dispersion.
2. Feel: Refined Feel Balancing Technology+ system further optimizes CG placement for an even softer, yet responsive hit.

The RTX 6 also provides more loft and gapping flexibility through its wider loft range and specialized pairing options.

For most golfers, the technology upgrades in the RTX 6 make it the best overall performer between the two models. But you can trust that either RTX ZipCore or RTX 6 will provide buttery feel, versatile sole grinds, and consistent distance control thanks to their outstanding Cleveland wedge technologies.

Also Read: Comparison of Titleist Vokey V Grind And D Grind.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Choose Your Cleveland RTX Wedge

In the world of premium wedges, Cleveland Golf delivers top-notch short game spin and precision through its RTX series. Both the RTX ZipCore and RTX 6 models provide buttery soft feel with distance and trajectory control from a combination of cutting edge groove, face, CG, and grind technologies.

While the RTX 6 gains a performance edge in critical areas of forgiveness and feel, you can trust any RTX wedge model to elevate your greenside scoring. Hopefully this guide provides the details you need to confidently choose the right RTX wedge for your game.

Here’s to shaving more strokes off your score with dialed wedge performance from Cleveland!