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Cleveland HB Soft 2 11C Putter Review: Struggling with long putts? Try this putter! | National Club Golfer

The counterbalanced grip is another thoughtful touch, placing extra weight at the top of the shaft to help with feel and tempo. I think for players chasing consistency in their roll and confidence in their distance control, this feature could be a quiet game-changer.

But, it is on the longer putts where the 11C really shines. The centre-shafted design encourages a straight-back, straight-through stroke and delivers a reliable, balanced feel through impact. I found the feedback was clear without being harsh, and my distance control benefitted noticeably from the face technology.

Where the putter becomes more polarising is when faced with those nervy jangling short putts. The centre-shafted design interrupts the alignment line, which can make aiming on short putts more challenging. During my testing, I experienced a few misses until the adaptation kicked in. Another point to note is that if you’re used to heel-shafted models or prominent alignment aids this might take a bit of getting use to.

However, once the alignment is sorted, the weighting and stability of the head offer strong short-range performance. If you’re willing to commit to the learning curve, this putter rewards you with excellent feel and precision.

Final Verdict

Overall, I think the Cleveland HB Soft 2 11C is a standout performer in the value for money category. It combines modern face technology with a classic shape and a unique shaft position to serve a very specific putting style. While the centre-shafted design might not be for everyone, it’s hard to argue against the build quality and impressive performance, especially given the price point.

This model is tailor-made for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through stroke, particularly those looking for a consistent roll and more forgiveness on mis-hits. I do strongly believe that the 11C may not be ideal for players with strong arc strokes or those reliant on traditional alignment lines, but within the nine-model HB Soft 2 range, there’s something for everyone.