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Cleveland putters are easier to compare by exact model and shaft configuration than by head outline alone. HB SOFT 2 includes standard-length, counterbalanced and BROOM options, and similar-looking heads can have different balance descriptions. Start by choosing the putting style and length you actually want to use. Then compare the head and neck within that category, with the published specification beside the seller’s listing.
Link disclosure: The manufacturer and provider links in this guide are direct information sources. We receive no commission through these links.
Guide checked: 9 September 2026. This guide compares the linked published information. We have not carried out hands-on product testing. Model details and service features refer to the sources identified below.
| Option | Published distinction | Buyer decision |
|---|---|---|
| Model 1 | Plumber neck with moderate toe hang | A blade option to compare in a standard-length fitting |
| 8C / 11 | Centre shaft / single bend; listed face balanced | Try the different shaft positions at address |
| 11S | Slant neck with moderate toe hang | Do not assume it has the same balance as Model 11 |
| 11 CB / RETREVE CB | 38 inch counterbalanced builds in the checked table | Assess the intended grip and setup together |
| 11C BROOM | 46 or 48 inch builds with a different lie specification | Treat as a separate fitting category |
Table of Contents
Begin with the style of putting
A conventional-length putter, counterbalanced build and long BROOM model are different starting points. Do not compare them as if only the number printed on the shaft changes. Establish the setup and method you want to use, ideally with a fitter, before choosing the head shape. This prevents an appealing product photograph from deciding a more fundamental fitting question.
The HB SOFT 2 CB and BROOM specifications make the distinction clear. The checked CB builds are 38 inches with 380-gram heads, while 11C BROOM options are 46 or 48 inches, 470 grams and a 78-degree lie. These are model-specific figures, not a recommendation that a particular length suits a particular golfer.
Keep the model suffix
In the standard HB SOFT 2 table, Model 11 uses a single-bend shaft and is listed as face balanced. Model 11S uses a slant neck and has moderate toe hang. Dropping the S from a listing therefore removes information that matters. Photograph the neck and retain the full model designation when comparing new or used offers.
The same table distinguishes the plumber-neck Model 1 from centre-shafted 8C. A golfer can prefer a blade outline but dislike the way a specific neck frames the ball. Try the address view, length and grip before assuming that the head category alone identifies the right putter.
Use balance as a comparison tool
Published balance descriptions help explain why two versions exist. They do not guarantee that a putter will improve your stroke or compensate for inconsistent aim. Select a small group with clear differences, then try them using your ordinary routine. A fitting is more useful when each comparison answers a specific question about setup or delivery.
Check short putts for aim and start direction, and longer putts for pace. Include a few less-than-perfect contacts instead of judging only the best strike. If you find yourself changing posture or ball position dramatically to accommodate a head, discuss the build rather than assuming the unfamiliar setup must be correct.
Confirm what the face technology claim means
Cleveland’s HB SOFT branding describes a manufacturer-designed face approach. It is not an independent result from this guide. We have not measured these models for ball speed, dispersion or forgiveness. Use the manufacturer’s explanation to understand the design, then assess whether the complete putter delivers feedback you find useful.
Keep the ball and surface similar during comparisons. A different ball or carpet can change the impression of contact and pace, making it harder to attribute a preference to the putter itself. If a fitting produces measurements, ask which observed problem supports the proposed model or length.
Handle older Cleveland listings separately
Retail and used listings may include earlier HB or Frontline products alongside HB SOFT 2. Do not assign the current HB SOFT 2 table to those models. Ask for the complete name, neck photographs and original specification where available. This guide’s configuration examples are specifically the linked HB SOFT 2 models.
For any purchase, confirm handedness, length, grip and modifications as well as condition. Ask whether the headcover is included and whether a custom build can be returned. Compare the actual delivered configuration rather than assuming that every Cleveland mallet, or every putter sharing a model number, is interchangeable.
Related guides
Continue with How to Choose a Putter: Shape, Length and Alignment and Face-Balanced vs Toe-Hang Putters: A Fitting Choice, Not a Stroke Shortcut.