Equipment
Cleveland releases new wedges, irons, putters
GolfWRX Staff
Cleveland has release four new products for Fall 2012: the 588 RTX CB Wedges, the 588 Altitude Hybird-Iron set, the Classic Collection HB Putters and the T-Frame Belly putter.
Pictures of Cleveland new 588 RTX (or Rotex) CB wedge first surfaced at the BMW Championship, where they we in Vijay Singh’s bag. We later snapped these photos at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open in early October.
Here’s a few key points about the new products from a Cleveland press release:
Click here for more discussion in the “Tour/pre-release equipment” forum.
588 RTX CB Wedges
588 RTXTCB wedges combine the legendary performance of the original 588 wedge with added forgiveness and breakthrough ROTEX technology, Cleveland Golf’s most advanced spin technology ever. Features include:
- 16% Larger Grooves. Through more precise manufacturing, these U-Grooves are 16% larger than previous Tour Zip Grooves to promote cleaner contact and maximize spin on critical scoring shots.
- Rougher, More Durable Laser Milling. Advanced surface roughness technology is now more durable and dimensionally optimized for even more friction at impact.
- ROTEX Face Pattern. Directionally milled face pattern adds roughness and imparts maximum spin, especially on open- face wedge shots where impact tends to be closer to the toe.
- Wedge Cavity Back. An undercut cavity promotes perimeter weighting for more forgiveness on off-center hits.
- Reverse C Sole. Inspired by Cleveland Golf’s popular CG14 and CG16 wedges, this wide, constant-width sole combines heel and toe grinds to improve performance from bunkers and deep rough.
- 588 RTX CB wedges come in eight different lofts (46°-60°) with standard bounce in both Satin Chrome and Black Pearl finishes. Minimum advertised price (MAP) is $119.99. Women’s version is available.
- Full Hollow Construction. Advanced internal weighting adds forgiveness and promotes a lower, deeper center of gravity for optimal launch and effortless distance.
- Face Forged Technology. Every iron has a forged club face to enhance ball speed and feel.
- Bendable Hosel. To fit different swing types, the hosel on 588 Altitude irons can be bent up to 3° upright or 2° flat and the loft can be bent 2° weaker or stronger.
Classic Collection HB putters
Classic Collection HB putters offer exceptional performance at an exceptional value. All five models (#1, #3, #7, #10 and #6 Belly) combine traditional designs with softer, more responsive feel. Features include:
- Enhanced Feel. A new and improved Winn grip offers soft texture and responsive feedback. A slightly deeper CNC milling pattern on the face promotes a softer feel at impact for more control.
- Heel -Toe Weighting. This maximizes Moment of Inertia for minimal distance loss on off-center hits.
- Classic CollectionTM HB putters are available in four standard-length versions (#1, #3, #7, #10) with MAP of $89.99. Belly version is available in four different lengths – including a 39” Almost Belly – with MAP of $129.99. Women’s version of #10 model is available.
T-Frame Belly Putter
The T-Frame Belly putter features advanced T-Frame performance in the stability of a Belly model. The putter is designed with a high Moment of Inertia, as over 70 grams of weight have been redistributed to the rear of the putter for maximum forgiveness on off-center strikes. A dominant “T” on the crown makes alignment easy, and a precision milled face promotes soft, solid feel. The T-FrameTM Belly putter is available in four different lengths – including a 39” Almost Belly – with MAP of $149.99.
Click here for more discussion in the “Tour/pre-release equipment” forum.
Equipment
Neal Shipley, AKA, the “Big Fridge’s,” custom stamping
Neal Shipley was the first to admit that he enjoyed his food while in college. But since his days at Ohio State, he’s slimmed down and earned a PGA Tour Card.
That hasn’t stopped him from having fun with his wedge stampings, though it’s led to some misunderstandings.
On the 54 (degree), we have ‘Big Fudge,'” Shipley told GolfWRX. “It was supposed to be ‘Big Fridge,’ so this happened a little while ago. ‘Big Fridge’ was a nickname between my college teammates and I, with ‘fridge’ meaning stomach, a big stomach.

“We told the Ping guys to put … ‘Big Fridge’ on it, and I think maybe some bad cell service or something, and they thought I said ‘fudge,’ so they put fudge on it.”
On Shipley’s 50-degree he also continues the food theme, this time with his go-to order at the “Golden Arches,” and his stamping “DONS 7.”
“The number 7 meal, the two cheeseburger meal, that was my McDonald’s order, back when I would have McDonald’s frequently,” Shipley shared.
Equipment
From the GolfWRX Classifieds: L.A.B. Purple DF3 with Masters cover
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.

From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Whats in the Bag
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4

3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4

Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms

Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105

Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet





Gassyazz
Jan 9, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Got a 52 wedge and it does give you some noticeable extra stopping power when it hits the green.
Tnbruiser
Oct 31, 2012 at 8:35 pm
If they make the game easier for people, it doesn’t matter how they look!
jgpl
Oct 30, 2012 at 5:03 am
I cannot remember the last time I saw anything as UGLY as those 588 altitude hybrid iron things or whatever they are
The future ain’t bright for Cleveland