Cleveland CG wedges are a series Cleveland made from the mid 2000s into the early 2010s, and each new number added one specific change, from a carbon heavy steel to Zip Grooves to laser milled face texture. They still show up often on the used market, and GolfRoots typically has more than 25 CG wedges listed at a time, mostly between 52 and 60 degrees in Chrome, Black Pearl and a few other finishes.
What changed from model to model
The CG10 used a material Cleveland called Carbon Metal Matrix, which had far more carbon than standard steel and was meant to absorb vibration for a softer feel. The CG11 was released as a more forgiving option. The CG12 introduced Zip Grooves, which were milled to the largest dimensions the rules allowed at the time. The CG14 kept Zip Grooves and added Gelback, a yellow vibration dampening insert behind the center of the face, along with a wider sole. The CG15 added four laser milled lines between each groove to make the face texture more consistent and increase friction with the ball. The CG16 added a small amount of offset for forgiveness and a sole that keeps a constant width from heel to toe.
The 2010 groove rule
The CG line overlaps with the groove rule that pro tours had to adopt at the start of 2010, which reduced how wide and sharp grooves could be. The original CG15 was sold with the older groove specifications, and Cleveland followed it with a version using Tour Zip Grooves that conform to the Rules of Golf. If you play in events that require conforming grooves, check the specific wedge before you put it in the bag.
Common questions
Which CG wedge has the yellow insert?
The CG14. Its Gelback insert is a rubbery material placed behind the face to cut down on vibration from mis-hits while still giving feedback.
What finishes did CG wedges come in?
Chrome and Black Pearl were Cleveland's two classic finishes on models like the CG14. You will also see other versions on the used market, such as Satin Chrome on the CG16 and an Oil Quenched CG15.
You can browse the CG wedges we have in stock, along with newer Cleveland models, on our Cleveland wedges page. For where Cleveland's wedge design went later, our post on what ZipCore actually does picks up the story.
