Review: Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face wedges

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By James Tait Published: 24 January 2024 | Updated: 5 February 2024
min read

If you're a high-handicapper or a beginner, Cleveland have the perfect wedges for you.

WHO ARE THEY FOR?

Golfers who stuggle with confidence around the green.

bunkered rating

PROS

  • Cleveland's largest ever wedge face
  • About as forgiving a wedge as you'll ever hit
  • Full face of grooves for more spin
  • Four designs for each shot type around the green

CONS

  • Won't appeal to low- or mid-handicap golfers

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If you struggle around the greens and lack confidence then the new Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face wedges could be the answer to your prayers. Say goodbye to chunks and thins and say hello to get the ball closer to the pin.

The First Look

I’ll be honest this is a big club head but if you can’t get out of the bunkers or play those tough short chips around the green this is going to help. You’ve got the full face of grooves the large sole and cavity design which is what going to give you the forgiveness you’re looking for.

The Smart Sole wedges are quite something to look at. (Credit: Cleveland Golf) |

The full face of grooves will do wonders for your spin rate. (Credit: Cleveland Golf) |

The Smart Sole Full-Face wedges are aimed at high-handicap golfers. (Credit: Cleveland Golf) |

The Tech

So here Is what the Smart Sole Full-Face has to offer you. There are four specialised clubs, each designed for every type of short-game shot. The sole on each wedge ia an extra-wide Three-Tiered Sole Design which is what will give you forgiveness from anywhere on the course.

It has the largest face ever on a Cleveland wedge, with a 46% larger striking area than the previous model, along with more MOI. Alignment lines feature at the bottom of the club face which help golfers keep the club centred behind the ball. The square club face at makes it easier to find the sweet spot more often at impact for purer contact.

No what you have is a Smart Sole Full-Face model which is designed for certain situations around the green. The C model is ideal for chip shots or bump-and-runs. The G model is for full or partial approach shots. The S model is designed for easier sand saves. Rounding out the product line is an L model, engineered for high-arching shots into short-sided pin locations. So you have all the shot which you may struggle with taken care of with the range.

The bunkered Verdict

Now if you are a higher handicapper or you struggle around the greens, then try these because they will definitely make your life easier. Now they may not aesthetically be for everyone but if they can get you closer to the pin, stop you from hitting fat and thinned shots then that sounds like a win to me. Now what is great about them is the have the same HydraZip blast and laser-milled line system which give you great control especially when it’s wet. You also have UltiZip’s full-face grooves which give amazing spin and control. They are very easy to hit, easy to get in the air and will anyone who struggles around the greens. 

The Details

RRP: £139 (steel shafts); £149 (graphite shafts)
Available: February 10, 2024

More Cleveland wedges

• Cleveland RTX Full-Face 2 wedges review

• Cleveland CBX4 ZipCore wedges review

The Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face wedges will feature in our Best Wedges 2024 round-up later in the year. Keep an eye on the bunkered YouTube channel for more!


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James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor

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