CLEVELAND WEDGES

ezgoer · October 8, 2023

May not phrase this correctly but curious how far back Cleveland wedges go? I mean kinda as we look at wedges nowadays as filling out the bottom of our sets not just a club to get out of the sand. Seems like back in 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s go SW would often match the iron set. Feels like Cleveland was the first to really market this modern way. Almost seems like the 485 ushered in the different and even multiple individual wedge setup and it became common. There was the Hogan Special SI and Wilson Staff’s & JP’s, sure I’m forgetting others. To me it seemed the 485 was a super popular club. Was it just that good or am I right to think that’s about the time it kinda changed on how wedges were looked at? I could be wrong on this. Perhaps it’s just the timing coincidence.
I’ve read that Tom Kite is more or less responsible for making the 60 degree an every pro club. Before him some tour guys over the years would use a high lofted wedge. Supposedly Kite was the one that really change everyone’s thoughts on its usefulness and basically a must in every bag.

bcstones · October 9, 2023

@ezgoer didn't Cleveland begin as Cleveland Classics somewhere around 1980?

ezgoer · October 9, 2023

Idk, I always thought their persimmons go back a little further. Now thinking about it most of them I see have TT DG shafts so you’re timing would be right

mocokid · October 9, 2023

the number is the clue. 485, means released in 1985, im pretty sure.

NRJyzr · October 10, 2023

On 10/8/2023 at 7:03 PM, bcstones said:

@ezgoer didn't Cleveland begin as Cleveland Classics somewhere around 1980?

The first iron set put out by Cleveland were the Cleveland Classic set, which the Maltby guide lists as being 1982. The book has Cleveland Golf starting in 1981.

ezgoer · October 11, 2023

Finally Googled like I should have in the first place. Roger Cleveland founded Cleveland Classics in 1979. Think first clubs were made in 81. Changed to current name in 90. Owned bye Dunlap now. Wasn’t Cleveland a decent size presence on the tour in the mid 80’s? If so perhaps cuz the other main brands were failing or very near the end??? Not bad for a pretty much start up company.

Seve0992 · October 15, 2023

485 was Cleveland's 4th design and released in 1985. Prior to that, they had forged iron sets and wedges that matched (Classic I, Classic II and Classic III). The 588 was the 5th design released in 1988. It gets a bit confusing in that they had both a 690 and a 691 series prior to the 797.