Cleveland Golf HB Soft 2 Putter Review: Reliable and Consistent for Your Game

The Cleveland Golf HB Soft 2 Putter caught my eye with its sleek black finish and a promise of consistent swing feel. As an avid golfer always on the lookout for gear that can add stability to my game, I was eager to give this putter a try. From first glance, the design seemed solid, and the oversized grip looked promising for comfort.

The putter comes equipped with a 35-inch shaft that includes a 20g weight in the butt end. This is intended to ensure a consistent swing feel across different shaft lengths. I was curious about how this would play out in real usage. The weight distribution was something I hadn’t encountered before, so it intrigued me.

Right out of the box, the putter felt well-balanced. The grip was sizable, and I anticipated it would provide good control during swings. My first few putts on the green with this putter gave me a relatively steady feel, but I needed more time to determine if it was truly beneficial or just a gimmick.

In terms of immediate aesthetics and initial handling, the HB Soft 2 seems to tick the right boxes, but the real test is always in the performance on the course. Let’s dive deeper into its features and performance.

The Cleveland Golf HB Soft 2 Putter is all about smart design choices that cater to various stroke styles. It features nine different models tailored for straight or slight arc strokes. What stood out to me was the thoughtful synchronization between hosel style, toe hang, alignment system, and grip. This kind of attention to detail is appreciated, especially when you’re serious about your golf.

One aspect of the design that I found noteworthy was the dynamic groove milling pattern on the face, part of their SPEED OPTIMIZED FACE TECHNOLOGY. It's designed to normalize ball speed across a larger striking area. In practice, this means you can expect more consistent distance performance, even if your stroke isn’t perfect every time.

The putter is made from plated stainless steel, which gives it a sturdy feel without being overly heavy. The shaft combines alloy steel and graphite, aiming for a balance between strength and lightweight handling. While I was initially skeptical about the multi-material shaft, it felt stable and performed admirably during my testing.

All in all, the design and build quality of the HB Soft 2 is pretty solid. It’s functional and thought-out, which is what you want when investing in a piece of golf equipment. However, it doesn’t necessarily stand out as revolutionary but gets the job done effectively.

On the green, the Cleveland Golf HB Soft 2 Putter's performance was quite reliable. One of the first things I noticed was the even distribution of my putts in terms of distance control. The dynamic groove milling did seem to help in keeping ball speeds consistent across the face, which was a relief during those occasional off-center hits.

When it comes to alignment, the oversized grip provided a good feel and control. The single bend shaft aligns nicely with the putter face, making it easier to line up shots. I didn’t experience any twisting or turning that sometimes happens with less balanced putters.

While the putter feels stable, I found it to be more suited for straight strokes. It handles gentle arcs well, but if your putting style involves more pronounced curves, you might want to look at other options. The putter’s weight distribution aids in maintaining a smooth stroke, but doesn't necessarily cater to all stroke styles.

Overall, in terms of performance, the putter does what it’s supposed to: it provides consistent roll and decent feel with each stroke. Nothing jaw-dropping, but reliable enough for most amateur golfers looking to improve their putting game.