cleveland hb soft putter

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Range: At a Glance

All models feature: Speed Optimised Face Technology, headcover included, 34″ or 35″ lengths, and a 20g counterbalance weight on 35″+ shafts.

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Why the Cleveland HB Soft 2 Range Matters in 2026

Cleveland’s HB Soft 2 family sits in a sweet spot of the modern putter market. At £119 per head, it offers a level of design choice and engineering you would expect from putters costing two or three times as much. Cleveland’s promise is straightforward: pick the head shape that suits your eye and your stroke, and you will get the same insert technology, the same counterbalanced feel, and the same headcover regardless of which model you choose.

That promise resonates with the way most golfers actually buy putters. You walk into a fitting bay, you stand over a few different shapes, and one feels right. The Cleveland HB Soft 2 range respects that instinct by giving you blade, mid-mallet, fanged mallet and full mallet options under a single design philosophy.

There is no upsell, no “tour” version that costs more, and no compromise on materials between models. The team at Cleveland Putters has worked hard to ensure each model performs at its full potential, rather than feeling like a stripped-back version of a flagship.

This guide compares the five most popular men’s models in the Cleveland HB Soft 2 line: the classic blade Model 1, the slightly oversized blade Model 8S, the fanged mallet Model 11, the centre-shafted Model 11C, and the high-MOI full mallet Model 15.

Speed Optimised Face Technology Explained

Cleveland’s face insert is the engineering hero across every Cleveland HB Soft 2 model. It looks understated, but the milling pattern is doing more work than the eye initially registers. The grooves are tightly packed in the centre of the face and gradually open out towards the heel and toe. The result is a face that releases more energy near the centre and slightly less on off-centre strikes, evening out ball speed across the entire surface.

Stroke Type and Head Shape Primer

Before you choose a model, it helps to know how your putting stroke moves. Two broad categories matter for putter selection: a slight arc (where the head naturally swings inside-square-inside, with face rotation) and a straight stroke (where the path stays square to the line and the face barely rotates). Cleveland matches each head shape to one of these two patterns.

Slight arc strokes pair best with toe-hang putters, where the toe of the head naturally drops when balanced on a finger. The Cleveland HB Soft 2 Model 1 and Model 8S both deliver moderate toe hang for arcing strokes. Straight strokes pair best with face-balanced putters where the face points to the sky when balanced. The Model 11, Model 11C and Model 15 are face-balanced for straighter strokes. Match the head to the stroke, and you remove a layer of compensation from your game.

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Model 1: The Classic Blade

Design Philosophy

The Model 1 is the purest, most traditional putter in the Cleveland HB Soft 2 family. It is a clean blade with a plumber’s neck hosel and a single alignment line, which is exactly the look that tour professionals have used for decades. If you grew up watching the world’s best on television and pictured holing the winning putt with a classic blade, the Model 1 will feel like coming home.

Despite the traditional look, this is a 2026 design. The plumber’s neck creates a moderate toe hang that loves a slight arc, and the milled insert produces the soft, dampened feel that Cleveland has built its putter reputation on. At 355g of head weight, it is the lightest putter in the range, which suits golfers who like to feel the head working through the stroke rather than dragging it.

Who Should Buy the Model 1?

• Golfers with a natural slight arc stroke who prefer a clean address view
• Players who already use a blade and want to upgrade to a softer face
• Left-handed golfers searching for a quality blade at a sensible price
• Anyone who wants to feel the toe of the head release through impact

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Model 8S: The Confidence Blade

Design Philosophy

The Model 8S takes the classic blade silhouette of the Model 1 and adds a touch of bulk for golfers seeking greater visual confidence at address. It is still recognisably a blade, but the slightly oversized footprint gives the eye more to settle on, which can help calm pre-putt nerves on tight pin positions. The slant-neck hosel produces a similar moderate toe hang to the Model 1, so it remains a slightly arcing putter, but the heavier 365g head adds stability.

This is a great option for the golfer who likes the look of a tour blade but wants the perceived security of a slightly bigger head. Think of the Model 8S as a halfway house between the purist Model 1 and the more forgiving fanged mallet Model 11. The slant neck encourages a touch more face rotation through the stroke, which suits players who release the head naturally.

Who Should Buy the Model 8S?

• Slight arc putters who want a touch more head confidence than a pure blade
• Golfers who like the slant neck look popular on tour
• Players moving away from a small blade, but who do not want to jump straight into a mallet
• Anyone who wants the feel of a heavier head without losing the blade silhouette

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Model 11: The Modern Mallet

Design Philosophy

The Model 11 is where the Cleveland HB Soft 2 range pivots toward higher MOI and greater forgiveness. The fanged mallet head is one of the most popular shapes in golf right now, and for good reason: it places mass at the extremes of the head, which makes the putter resistant to twisting on off-centre strikes. Pair that with a single-bend hosel that creates a face-balanced setup, and you have a putter purpose-built for the player who wants their stroke to stay straight.

Cleveland has finished the Model 11 with a max-contrast three-line alignment system that virtually pulls your eye onto the target line. The wider, oversized grip quietens the hands, helping you focus on rocking the shoulders and letting the head do the work. This is the kind of putter that turns three-putts into two-putts and gives nervous lag putters a fighting chance.

Who Should Buy the Model 11?

• Players with a straight-back, straight-through stroke who want maximum forgiveness
• Golfers who struggle with face rotation and want a face-balanced design
• Mid to high-handicappers seeking confidence on the green
• Left-handed players who want a modern fanged mallet at a sensible price

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Model 11C: The Centre-Shafted Specialist

Design Philosophy

The Model 11C shares the fanged mallet head of the Model 11 but swaps out the single bend hosel for a centre-shafted design. The shaft enters the head right above the sweet spot, which is the most stable, most face-balanced configuration you can engineer in a putter. The result is a head that wants to swing on a dead-straight path, with almost no urge to rotate. For golfers who repeatedly miss putts on the same side because their face is opening or closing at impact, this setup can immediately straighten things out.

Centre-shafted putters used to be a niche category dominated by a handful of bespoke designs. Cleveland has democratised the format by offering it at the same £119 price as the rest of the Cleveland HB Soft 2 range. If your local club professional has ever told you to “stop releasing the face”, the Model 11C is worth a serious look.

Who Should Buy the Model 11C?

• Golfers who consistently miss putts to one side because of face rotation
• Players coached to use a “no release” putting stroke
• Anyone curious about centre-shafting who does not want to spend £300 on a boutique putter
• Pure straight-stroke putters who want the most face-balanced feel possible

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Model 15: The Maximum MOI Mallet

Design Philosophy

If you want every gram of forgiveness Cleveland can pack into a £119 putter, the Model 15 is your putter. It is a full mallet with a deep back and an extended footprint, deliberately engineered to push the centre of gravity as far back as possible. That CG position fights twisting forces on off-centre strikes and helps the face stay square through impact, which is exactly what most amateur golfers need on tricky greens.

The Model 15 pairs the single-bend hosel of the Model 11 with a more substantial body, giving it a face-balanced feel and a noticeably more secure weighting through the stroke. The bold three-line alignment pattern is the cleanest visual aid in the range, drawing your eye onto the target line and helping you commit to the stroke. For high-handicappers and anyone fighting nerves on short putts, this is the most encouraging shape in the lineup.

Who Should Buy the Model 15?

• High-handicappers who want the most forgiving putter in the range
• Players who get nervous over short putts and need a stabilising shape
• Golfers transitioning from a blade and embracing the modern mallet world
• Anyone with a straight-back, straight-through stroke chasing maximum stability

Side by Side: How the Cleveland HB Soft 2 Models Stack Up

To put the differences between the five models in context, here is a side-by-side performance rating from our PGA professional team. Ratings are out of five stars and are based on each putter’s design intent and how it performs in our fitting sessions.

Tip: scroll the table sideways on mobile to see all five putters.

Which Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Should You Buy?

Player Profile Recommendations

Still not sure which model fits? Here are three real-world golfer profiles that closely match specific Cleveland HB Soft 2 putters.

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter FAQs

How do I know if I have a slight arc or a straight stroke?

Are the Cleveland HB Soft 2 putters available in left hand?

What length should I order, 34″ or 35″?

Is the headcover included with each putter?

How does the Model 11 differ from the Model 11C?

Can I return my putter if I do not get on with it?

Why Purchase Your Cleveland Putter from The Golf Shop Online?

Final Verdict on the Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Range

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Model 1

The pick for golfers who love a clean, traditional blade. The plumber’s neck and single line keep the look pure, while the soft face insert delivers a much more refined feel than a typical entry-level blade. Brilliant value for slight arc players who already know what they like.

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Model 8S

The smart upgrade for blade users who want a hint of extra forgiveness. The slant neck is a tour-style touch, and the slightly oversized footprint adds visual confidence without losing any of the elegant blade DNA. A genuine middle-ground putter that suits a wide audience.

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Model 11

The all-rounder of the range. The fanged mallet shape, three-line alignment and face-balanced setup combine to make a putter that flatters most amateur strokes. Available in left-hand, which is a real bonus, and a strong shout for any straight-stroke player who wants a single putter to suit their entire bag.

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Model 11C

The specialist’s choice. If face rotation has been the gremlin in your putting stroke, the centre-shafted Model 11C is genuinely transformative. It is the most face-balanced option in the range and the design that most rewards a disciplined, no-release stroke.

Cleveland HB Soft 2 Model 15

The forgiveness champion. If you want every gram of stability Cleveland can pack into £119, the Model 15 full mallet is the one. Bold alignment, deep CG and a substantial feel make this the go-to pick for golfers who want their putter to do the heavy lifting on tricky greens.

The Bottom Line

Cleveland’s decision to sell the Cleveland HB Soft 2 range at a flat £119 across the lineup is brilliant for the consumer. There is no penalty for choosing the head shape that suits your eye and your stroke. Whether you walk away with a Model 1 blade or a Model 15 mallet, you are getting the same Speed Optimised Face insert, the same headcover and the same level of build quality. That clarity is rare and refreshing in golf, where premium tiers often price the right shape out of reach.

Pair the right Cleveland HB Soft 2 putter with a good golf ball, a regular practice routine and a few sessions on a putting mat at home, and you will see your scores trend down. The team at The Golf Shop Online has been helping golfers shop with confidence since 2002, and we are happy to talk you through any of the models above. All Cleveland equipment we sell conforms to the rules and specifications laid out by The R&A, the sport’s governing body for golf outside the United States and Mexico.

Complete Your Setup: Premium Golf Equipment

• Golf Putters – Browse the full putter range from Cleveland and other leading brands, including the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 and the TaylorMade Spider Putters.
• Golf Balls – The right ball changes how every putter feels. Our team can help you match a ball to the Cleveland HB Soft 2’s soft face.
• Golf Clubs – Round out the bag with the latest drivers, irons and wedges, including the Ping G440 Fairway Woods and the Srixon ZXi Irons.
• Golf Bags – Every putter deserves a comfortable home. Our golf bag selection covers stand bags, cart bags and travel covers.
• Golf Shoes – Stable footing helps every putt. See the latest waterproof and spikeless options.
• Golf Clothing – Round out your kit with shirts, sweaters and trousers from leading brands.

Disclaimer: Prices, specifications, and availability are accurate as of publication but may change. All Cleveland products featured are genuine products from an authorised retailer. Product performance may vary based on individual use and care. 60-Day Returns Policy: If you are unhappy with any product, you may return it (unused, unopened, and in its original packaging) within 60 days for a full refund. Free UK Standard Delivery: Every order over £30 from The Golf Shop Online comes with free standard UK delivery.

For the most current pricing, availability, and product specifications, please visit our website or contact our team on 0800 3681097. The Golf Shop Online has been serving golfers since 2002 with award-winning customer service backed by 29,000+ verified reviews across Reviews.co.uk, Trustpilot, and Google.

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