Cleveland CG11 Wedge Review

If someone were to play a name association game with me and said “wedges,” the first word I could think of would probably be “Cleveland.” Even before I actually started to play golf and take it seriously, I’d seen Cleveland wedges at my friends houses and in their bags. When I started to play golf, those same friends gave me their old Cleveland wedges only so they could have a reason to buy new ones.

The trend continues on the PGA Tour, even if it’s declined somewhat in recent months. In a super-competitive wedge market (with Titleist’s Vokey line, TaylorMade’s RAC line, and Callaway’s line by Roger Cleveland), Cleveland Golf has always remained at or near the top.

Wedges have followed an almost cookie cutter approach with the exceptionn of some companies that offer custom colors, custom grinds or some new approach to shanks. Cleveland took a somewhat safer approach: the tweaked the solid design of the CG10 wedges to create the CG11. Let’s see how they did.

Feel
With the CG10 wedges, Cleveland introduced their CMM metal, which blends microscopic carbon spheres to create a more solid metal similar to most cast clubs but with a very soft feel similar to most forged clubs. This, Cleveland says, provides the best of both worlds. With this metal, the CG10 wedges were voted “Editors Choice” by Golf Digest in 2005.

Clevelands CMM material has received many accolades and has played a major part most of Cleveland Iron and Wedge designs.

When I first tried the CG11 wedges I was pretty impressed with the soft feeling of the club. It’s a similar feel to a lesser known set of wedges, the Sonartec t35. The CG11 has a very solid feel at impact and also gave me good feedback on how I struck the ball. The CMM material seems to be pretty easy on balls and although it feels soft it seems to be holding up well to my desert golf.

Design and Look
Since the steel was already enhanced with the CG10 wedges, Cleveland designers and engineers looked to improve the overall design. The goal was to create a wedge that would help players of all abilities by adding forgiveness but which would also retain the same feel as the CG10. Engineers effectively added a cavity to the back of the CG10 to create the CG11, and I think the design has paid off. The back cavity and wide sole design makes the CG11 more forgiving and easy to hit out of greenside bunkers without appreciable loss of feel.

From address you would never know that this was a cavity back “Game Improvement” wedge.

I like the look of the CG11’s because at first sight and from address the CG11 is identical to a CG10. Cleveland designed the CG10 and CG11 to look like the popular 588 series, so those of you looking for an upgrade will feel comfortable looking down at address. Though most other “game improvement” wedges on the market are flat out ugly, the CG11 is sleek, attractive, and traditional, all while hiding the forgiving cavity in the back!

Performance
Confident in the looks of the club (an important step), I set about putting the CG11 to the test. I found that the CG11 has a solid feel at impact, yet it also gave me good feedback as to how I hit the shot. As much as my ego doesn’t want to admit it, I liked the little bit of forgiveness that these wedges provided. Ball flight on a CG11 vs others seemed to be a touch higher if anything, with no appreciable change in distance or spin.

For men your two color choices are Satin and Black Pearl. The women’s version is satin with pink accents.

I typically carry a 54° and 60° wedge in low bounces but tested a 54° and 60° in the standard bounces. The little added bounce was welcome with the 54° from the rough and bunkers but I pretty much use my 60° exclusively around the greens and I’ve grown accustomed to the low bounce. I never quite adjusted to the medium-bounce 60° wedge.

The face and the grooves on the CG11 are CNC milled for added control and enhanced spin. I don’t want a ball to spin backwards, I want it to take one or two hops and then stop. The CG11s didn’t seem to enhance the amount of spin compared to my current wedges, but I didn’t lose any spin either. The CG11 seems to be a pretty good balance of spin, control, and feel.

Choices Galore
Cleveland’s CG11 wedges are available in several lofts and bounce configurations. 46°, 48°, 50°, and 52° wedges are available with one bounce configuration. 54°, 56°, 58°, and 60° models are each available with Low, Standard, and high bounce configurations (10°, 12°, and 14° in all but the 56° wedge, which has 2° additional bounce).

The CG11 wedges are available in either the satin or Black Pearl finish. I personally like the satin finish because, unlike the Black Pearl, it doesn’t wear out, but to each his own.

The standard shaft for men is the True Temper Wedge shaft with the option of a graphite shaft. The ladies version comes with a graphite shaft with a weight and flex specific to them with an option for steel.

Left-handed models of all wedges are available.

Bottom Line
The wedges retail for $139 and from now until June 30, 2006 you can get a free one with your purchase of a set of Cleveland irons.

It’s refreshing to see a new design on a wedge that is unique and not just a slight tweak of the age old design. This design is not only technologically advanced but performs well. I’ve always been a closet fan of Cleveland products and after using the CG11 I’m still a fan. Now, I’m happy to say that if you’re in the market for a new wedge and you have ever owned a 588 then I think the look, feel, and performance of the CG11 is worth a shot!