Inside the Design Lab: Building the All-New RTZ 2

Great wedges don’t happen by accident. Every groove, grind, contour, and material decision is the result of countless hours of engineering, testing, and collaboration between product designers, Tour staff, and players at every level of the game. For the all-new RTZ 2 Wedges, we set out to evolve one of the most trusted wedge franchises in golf while staying true to the performance standards that have defined Cleveland Golf for decades.

In this edition of Inside the Ropes, we step inside the Cleveland Golf Design Lab to explore the journey behind RTZ 2, from the earliest design objectives and prototype development to Tour feedback and the expanded family of sole grinds designed to help golfers find the perfect fit. Joining us is Patrick Ripp, Tour Engineering Manager and Principal Tour Performance Engineer, who provides a behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing Cleveland Golf’s latest wedge innovation to life.

Starting with a Clear Mission: Defining the Design Objectives

As preparation began for the second generation RTZ Wedge, one of the first questions that came up was: “How can we make this better?”

For RTZ 2, the team focused on identifying the performance opportunities that mattered most to golfers. Whether it was improving consistency, enhancing versatility around the greens, or providing players with more fitting options, the goal was to create a wedge that delivered measurable benefits without sacrificing the feel and control players expect from Cleveland Golf.

From Sketches to Testing: The Prototype Process

Before RTZ 2 reaches golfer’s bags, it existed in dozens of different forms inside the Cleveland Golf R&D lab. Engineers evaluated multiple head shapes, sole geometries, leading-edge profiles, and grind variations through an extensive process. Each iteration provided valuable feedback that helped refine performance characteristics before the final design was selected.  

Tour Validation: When the Best Players Put It to the Test

No wedge reaches the marketplace without first facing some of the toughest critics in golf: Tour players.

Throughout development, Cleveland Golf’s Tour staff worked closely with engineers, providing direct feedback on feel, turf interaction, spin performance, and shot-making versatility. Those insights played a critical role in shaping the final RTZ 2 design.

The Art of the Grind: Finding the Right Sole for Every Golfer

One of the defining features of RTZ 2 is its expanded lineup of tour-inspired sole grinds. Different golfers create different deliveries into the turf, which means no single sole design can fit every player. RTZ 2 offers a variety of grind options, five in total, giving players and fitters more ways to match wedge performance to swing style, course conditions, and preferred shot types.

MEET PATRICK RIPP

Patrick Ripp is the Tour Engineering Manager and Principal Tour Performance Engineer for Dunlop Sports Americas. With 14 years of experience in the golf industry and an additional five years in aerospace engineering, Patrick brings a unique blend of technical expertise and player-focused innovation to product development. He began his career at Dunlop working on multiple Cleveland Golf RTX Wedge programs before expanding his role across all Tour product categories, helping guide the evolution of equipment for Srixon’s global Tour staff.

Before we wrap up, we asked Patrick our Quick 6 questions:

1. Favorite golf course you've ever played?  

The Cliffs at Glassy in South Carolina 

2. Favorite Cleveland Wedge ever made? 

RTX ZipCore  

3. One club you can't live without?  

Driver 

4. Favorite place you’ve ever traveled to? 

Sydney, Australia  

5. One hobby people would be surprised to learn you have?  

Making espresso at the house while trying and dialing in different local beans 

6. Favorite snack at the turn? 

Date and nut butter smoothie