Cleveland HB SOFT 2 #1 putter review

A classic milled-face blade for under $200. Testers praise the HB SOFT 2's consistent roll and value, making it a strong budget choice.

The Cleveland HB SOFT 2 #1 is a classic heel-toe blade with a fully milled face, and it costs under $200. It suits beginners and mid handicappers with a slight arc in their stroke who want a traditional-looking putter without paying premium prices. Independent testers praise its consistent roll and price, with the main question marks being sound and feel rather than performance.

How we put this review together: we haven't hit this putter ourselves. This review brings together the maker's specs, Australian pricing and what independent testers have published, with links so you can check them.

At a glance

  • Australian price: $183.95 at Drummond Golf (right-handed, 35 inch listed online), $183.99 at Golf Box
  • Style: traditional blade with a plumber's neck hosel and a single alignment line
  • Face: milled Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT), with grooves packed tightly in the centre and spreading out towards the heel and toe
  • Stroke type: slight arc (moderate toe hang), with a pistol grip
  • Weighting: a counterbalance weight is used to keep swing feel consistent across shaft lengths
  • Release year: 2024 (NCG lists availability from 24 February 2024), still current in Australian shops
  • Best for: budget-conscious golfers and beginners who like a classic blade and have an arcing stroke

What's new

The HB SOFT 2 range replaced the original HB SOFT putters in 2024, and Cleveland's main idea is to build a near-custom putter at a modest price. You choose your stroke type (straight or slight arc) and a head shape, and Cleveland matches the hosel, toe hang, alignment marks and grip to suit. The #1 is the most traditional shape in the family and is designed for a slight arc.

The key technology is the face. Cleveland says its SOFT milling uses dense grooves in the middle of the face that widen towards the heel and toe. The aim is to even out ball speed, so a putt struck slightly out of the toe travels closer to the distance of a centred strike.

There are nine HB SOFT 2 models in the range, according to Cleveland and NCG, from this blade through to larger mallets and counterbalanced versions. A black satin version with a different shaft arrived in 2025.

What independent testers found

National Club Golfer tested the HB SOFT 2 #1 on the course and gave it five stars. NCG's reviewer Nicola Slater, usually a mallet user, liked the sleek shape and plumber's neck, and called the milled face the standout. The review found the ball rolled very consistently off the face and that pace putting was consistent across rounds. NCG's conclusion was that it is a great option for slight-arc putters who want forgiveness regardless of strike location, at a very reasonable price for a quality blade. The only listed con was "nothing really".

Golfalot tested a different member of the family, the HB SOFT 2 Black 15 mallet, and scored it 3.9 out of 5. It is worth reading because it shares the same SOFT face. Golfalot found the milled face gave a smooth, end-over-end roll with good forgiveness on heel and toe strikes. The reviewer did not like the loud, high-pitched sound at impact, found the oversize grip on the mallet models hurt feel and distance control, and concluded it was good value but not a personal choice. The #1 blade uses a standard pistol grip, so the grip complaint matters less here; the sound comment still applies.

The published tests agree on roll and forgiveness; they differ on sound and feel, which is personal.

Who it suits

  • Beginners and improving golfers who want a proper milled-face putter for under $200
  • Golfers with a slight arc in their stroke, which suits the plumber's neck and moderate toe hang
  • Anyone who likes the look of a classic blade and wants a simple, uncluttered alignment line
  • Visitors who want to buy a decent putter in Australia for a golf trip without a big outlay

Who should look elsewhere

If your stroke is straight back and straight through, a face-balanced mallet will suit you better. Cleveland makes straight-stroke models in the same range, or step up to the Odyssey Ai-DUAL #7 DB at $439.95. If you want a premium milled blade and feel is your top priority, the Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 is the benchmark, at about four times the price.

Buying it in Australia

Drummond Golf lists the HB SOFT 2 #1 at $183.95 and Golf Box at $183.99. Drummond's online listing shows a right-handed 35 inch model, so check in store for other lengths.

For visitors, hire sets at Australian courses generally include a basic putter, but a putter is the club you use most. At this price, buying one for a longer trip is a reasonable option.

The verdict

On the research, the HB SOFT 2 #1 looks like a strong-value blade for Australian golfers. Testers agree the milled SOFT face rolls the ball consistently and holds pace on mishits, and NCG rated it five stars. The caveats are that the sound may not suit everyone and it is built for an arcing stroke. If you want a classic blade on a budget, it is the place to start.

Sources

Photo: DZ6 2523 Steady hands focused putt, lining up the winning shot on the green by PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), via Wikimedia Commons.