Titleist Vokey SM11 vs Cleveland RTZ 2

How they differ

The SM11 gives you more loft and bounce combinations and a 44° gap wedge. The RTZ 2 goes up to 64° and keeps the choice simpler by tying each bounce to a grind.

Lofts. Titleist lists the SM11 from 44° to 60°. Cleveland lists the RTZ 2 from 46° to 64°. Both cover 46° to 60° in 2° steps. Only the SM11 is listed at 44°, and only the RTZ 2 at 62° and 64°.

Bounce and grind. This is the biggest difference in how the two are sold.

• Titleist lists six grinds (T, M, F, S, D and K) and bounces from 4° to 14°. Titleist’s spec chart pairs each loft with particular bounces and grinds: it lists the 4° and 6° bounces only at 58° and 60°, and 14° only at 54° and 56°, so check that the loft you want comes in the combination you want.
• Cleveland lists five grinds, each with one bounce: LOW at 6°, 588 and ADAPT at 8°, MID at 10° and FULL at 12°. Not every grind is listed at every loft: from 46° to 52°, Cleveland lists only the 10° bounce. Cleveland says the ADAPT has full-face grooves and a higher toe, and the other grinds have traditional grooves.

On the two spec charts, the SM11 has 25 loft and bounce pairings against the RTZ 2’s 20. Grind names are each maker’s own, so do not assume a Titleist M Grind and a Cleveland MID behave alike, and treat a degree or two of bounce difference between the brands as approximate.

Forgiveness. Titleist says the F Grind “is often considered the most forgiving Vokey SM11 grind.” Cleveland says its Z-Alloy steel gives the RTZ 2 “superior feel, better forgiveness, and more consistency.”

Finishes. Titleist lists Tour Chrome, Nickel, Jet Black and Raw for the SM11. We recorded the RTZ 2 from Cleveland’s Tour Satin product page. Cleveland also sells RTZ 2 Black Satin and Tour Rack wedges as separate products, so the RTZ 2 row shows fewer finishes than Cleveland actually sells.

Shafts. Cleveland lists the True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner Tour Issue as the RTZ 2’s stock shaft.

Price. Titleist shows list prices from $199 to $229 depending on configuration, and the list price row shows the lowest.

Who each one suits

• The Vokey SM11, if you want more loft and bounce pairings to choose from, want a 44° gap wedge, or want a Raw, Nickel or Jet Black finish. Titleist says SM11 wedges “feature new technologies designed to produce cleaner contact.”
• The RTZ 2, if you want a 62° or 64° wedge, a simpler choice where the grind sets the bounce, or the ADAPT grind’s full-face grooves. Cleveland calls the RTZ 2 “our most advanced Wedge to date.”

Start from the loft of your pitching wedge and how deep your divots are. Wedge bounce and grinds, explained covers loft gapping, bounce and grind in more detail, and all wedges we have researched includes cavity-back options.