Cleveland’s new CBX 2 wedges offer game-improvement performance for the masses

Seemingly since Gene Sarazen invented the original sand iron in the 1930s, sand wedges have mostly featured a blade-like, muscleback design aimed at providing precise performance for more skilled players. The designers at Cleveland Golf, who make some of the best muscleback sand wedges in the game, recognized this and a few years back came out with a cavity back, game-improvement wedge design called CBX. Wider soles, more bounce and friendlier turf interaction made them a hit, so it’s not surprising a new and improved CBX 2 wedge ($139.99 steel, $149.99 graphite) will be available at retail on August 30th.

The new CBX 2 is aimed at recreational players who need more help around the greens than standard musclebacks offer, and feature a hollow-cavity near the heel and additional weight in the toe for higher MOI and enhanced forgiveness. To make the new wedges even more user-friendly, the latest version of Cleveland’s Feel Balancing Technology locates the CG a bit towards the toe, where many weekend players tend to make contact.

Potentially the most important feature of the new wedges is three separate sole grind options based on loft to make shotmaking as easy as possible in a variety of turf conditions. For fuller shots in the 46°-52° lofts, a V-Shaped sole helps reduce dig, while an S-Shaped sole in the 54° and 56° lofts allows for improved performance from the sand and other greenside situations. A C-Shaped sole in the 58° and 60° models adds versatility for a variety of short game situations by making it as easy as possible to execute open faced shots on command.

Other features of the new CBX 2 wedges include a Gelback TPU insert for improved vibration dampening and feel, fourth generation Rotex face technology and Tour Zip grooves for extreme spin control, and a choice between Dynamic Gold 115 steel wedge shafts or Rotex Precision Graphite wedge flex shafts. The CBX 2 is also available in a women’s model with an Ultralight 50 graphite shaft.

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