Cleveland HB SOFT 2 Putter – Model 8C- Unofficial REview

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

When my wife asked me what I wanted for Father’s Day, I couldn’t think of anything and at a loss to identify anything I came up with this putter.   I had recently toyed with this model at a local pro shop.

The HB SOFT 2 line utilizes “Speed Optimized Face Technology”, with multiple models that allow you to identify your stroke type and head shape and go from there.  There’s a range of hosel styles, toe hangs, alignment lines, and grips.  This model has an enlarged blade design similar to a “double wide”, is center shafted and face balanced. It has a pistol style oversized grip and is counterbalanced.  It also has a three-line alignment system and is intended for golfers with a straight stroke. 

The scoring lines on the face expand toward the heel and toe.  Cleveland claims this balances the energy transfer across the striking area to normalize ball speed resulting in more predictable distances, even on miss-hits.

It has been a small sample side so far but I really like this putter.  It feels soft but not dull.  Even the slightly off-center strike feels solid.   The oversized grip feels very good in my hands.   The alignment marks on the top make it very easy to line up a putt and really give me confidence from ten feet and in.   The thing that most impresses me thus far is that even on my missed putts my distance has been very good. My conclusions are consistent with those found in the MGS blade putters testing on the Model 2 (best value putter), which noted its distance control and lag putting capability.

In earlier days, I’d have never thought $149 would be an inexpensive putter.   This putter is well worth $149.   I’d recommend this putter, especially to golfers who don’t want to spend a lot on a flat stick. 

[KC Golf]

1 hour ago, ClarkWGriswoldIII said:

When my wife asked me what I wanted for Father’s Day, I couldn’t think of anything and at a loss to identify anything I came up with this putter.   I had recently toyed with this model at a local pro shop.

The HB SOFT 2 line utilizes “Speed Optimized Face Technology”, with multiple models that allow you to identify your stroke type and head shape and go from there.  There’s a range of hosel styles, toe hangs, alignment lines, and grips.  This model has an enlarged blade design similar to a “double wide”, is center shafted and face balanced. It has a pistol style oversized grip and is counterbalanced.  It also has a three-line alignment system and is intended for golfers with a straight stroke. 

The scoring lines on the face expand toward the heel and toe.  Cleveland claims this balances the energy transfer across the striking area to normalize ball speed resulting in more predictable distances, even on miss-hits.

It has been a small sample side so far but I really like this putter.  It feels soft but not dull.  Even the slightly off-center strike feels solid.   The oversized grip feels very good in my hands.   The alignment marks on the top make it very easy to line up a putt and really give me confidence from ten feet and in.   The thing that most impresses me thus far is that even on my missed putts my distance has been very good. My conclusions are consistent with those found in the MGS blade putters testing on the Model 2 (best value putter), which noted its distance control and lag putting capability.

In earlier days, I’d have never thought $149 would be an inexpensive putter.   This putter is well worth $149.   I’d recommend this putter, especially to golfers who don’t want to spend a lot on a flat stick. 

Thanks for posting a review.  The price is hard to beat.  The putter looks interesting as a mid mallet type of head.  May be you can show us a pic of how it looks at address on the greens.

Once you get a few more rounds in, please let us know how your putting stats do vs your old putter.

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

1 hour ago, KC Golf said:

Thanks for posting a review.  The price is hard to beat.  The putter looks interesting as a mid mallet type of head.  May be you can show us a pic of how it looks at address on the greens.

Once you get a few more rounds in, please let us know how your putting stats do vs your old putter.

Here's the view from above, from the Cleveland site.  It's almost a mallet/blade hybrid.

[bbreezy716]

On 7/27/2024 at 9:51 AM, ClarkWGriswoldIII said:

When my wife asked me what I wanted for Father’s Day, I couldn’t think of anything and at a loss to identify anything I came up with this putter.   I had recently toyed with this model at a local pro shop.

The HB SOFT 2 line utilizes “Speed Optimized Face Technology”, with multiple models that allow you to identify your stroke type and head shape and go from there.  There’s a range of hosel styles, toe hangs, alignment lines, and grips.  This model has an enlarged blade design similar to a “double wide”, is center shafted and face balanced. It has a pistol style oversized grip and is counterbalanced.  It also has a three-line alignment system and is intended for golfers with a straight stroke. 

The scoring lines on the face expand toward the heel and toe.  Cleveland claims this balances the energy transfer across the striking area to normalize ball speed resulting in more predictable distances, even on miss-hits.

It has been a small sample side so far but I really like this putter.  It feels soft but not dull.  Even the slightly off-center strike feels solid.   The oversized grip feels very good in my hands.   The alignment marks on the top make it very easy to line up a putt and really give me confidence from ten feet and in.   The thing that most impresses me thus far is that even on my missed putts my distance has been very good. My conclusions are consistent with those found in the MGS blade putters testing on the Model 2 (best value putter), which noted its distance control and lag putting capability.

In earlier days, I’d have never thought $149 would be an inexpensive putter.   This putter is well worth $149.   I’d recommend this putter, especially to golfers who don’t want to spend a lot on a flat stick. 

I tested a bunch of putters at a golf shop near me while swinging through trying new shoes on for my birthday. This putter and the Cleveland Frontline both felt really solid and forgiving when I was trying them. Was sinking 20 footers with this more than the Scotty Cemeron putters they had out. I ended up getting the Cleveland Frontline Elite Cero during Amazon Prime Days, I couldn't pass up the deal. Can't wait to actually try it out on the course soon, used it at a simulator and it felt very balanced and had a soft feel to the putt. Reviews said it is fairly forgiving, hoping that's true since putting isn't my strong suit. I never really looked at Cleveland clubs, especially not putters before I tried them in person for fun, made me want to get one and I got one on a good deal. Definitely think more people should be looking at these a lot more, especially at their price point. 

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

The testing continues with the Cleveland HB SOFT 2 Putter – Model 8C.  I am most impressed by the consistent distance control with the putter.  Cleveland touts this line of putters as having "distance normalizing Speed Optimized Face Technology" and so far this technology seems to be working for me.  At this juncture, I don't know that I am making any more first putts, but my leaves seem to be much shorter with many tap ins.  The putter is very stable and only the worst of toe or heel strikes seems to impact a putt. 

[ClarkWGriswoldIII]

I've continued to go back and forth between this putter and my Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham.  I would say that while I don't seem to be making more putts with the Cleveland a non-perfect strike has a much more solid feel and maintains its distance better than the Wilson. 

[JAYER38]

I previously played the Cleveland Frontline 8.0 Slant but wanted to give a center shafted putter a try. Could not find the same Frontline in a center shafted option so this was the closest option without spending a ton.... This is the putter has been in the bag since I debut it in the middle of the 2024. Its an enjoyable putter for me as far as feel but I do get oddly good putts that feel like they come off FAST. My biggest thing with it seems to be consistency as even my bad strikes or strokes are not nearly as bad while using the 8C. I'm also a MAJOR fan of center shafted putters now due to this!