About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the putter, which I purchased with my own money in March of 2023.

My take

The Cleveland HB Soft Milled #10.5 Slant Neck Putter is a great option for golfers looking to get a premium-looking and feeling putter on a small budget. The clubhead is a little smaller but offers a great feel and adequate forgiveness.

About the club I own

• Model: 2023 Cleveland HB Soft Milled #10.5 Slant Neck Putter
• Shape: Mallet
• Hosel Neck: Slant
• Balance Point: Slight Toe Hang
• Shaft Length: 35”
• Grip Type: Golf Pride Pro Only grip
• Finish: Chrome

About me

• Average Score: 94
• Handicap: 21
• Experience: 4 years of golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-Handed
• Stroke Type: Slight Arc
• Golf Ball Used: Maxfli Tour X
• Height: 6’3”

Test conditions

• When I bought the putter: March 2023
• Days tested: 10
• Where I’ve used it: Practice greens and courses in Raleigh, NC, such as Wildwood, Hedingham, Paschal
• Weather and Wind Conditions: Warm days with some wind, one day with little to no wind
• Green Speed: Most were very fast and one was slower
• Grass Type: Bermuda

How it performs

What I was looking for

I wanted to try a putter with a softer feel and a more traditional look. I was gaming a Spider GT putter and didn’t like how hard it felt off the face and the larger SuperStroke grip that came with it. Ideally, I was looking for a milled putter with a slim grip that still offered forgiveness while being a little more visually appealing.

Why I chose this club

I chose this putter because I wanted more forgiveness instead of a more traditional blade design. I also wanted a softer feel and had never owned a milled putter. The price point was also attractive because it was cheaper than other milled putters. I also really liked how the milling looked on the face and the large alignment aid on the back. The black contrast behind the face was also something that really caught my eye. I knew the grip wasn’t ideal, but for the price, it would be easy to justify replacing the grip later with something I enjoy more.

What I love about it

• Face Feel: The face feel is consistent across the face and feels very soft
• Weight: The weighting makes the putting stroke effortless and feels great with how I swing the putter
• Length: 35” is perfect for me since I am taller and like to stand more upright
• Aesthetic Appeal: This is a great putter to look at and also comes with a great cover that doesn’t feel cheap and has a cool design. The milling on the front of the face and the black contrast on the back gives the putter a premium look.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Forgiveness: It’s not the most forgiving mallet putter. The Spider GT was more forgiving, in my opinion. The face is a little smaller, and considering it’s milled, Cleveland hasn’t many options to move weight around to reduce the head twisting on off-center strikes.
• Alignment: The alignment aid is nice, but I wish it continued all the way to the top of the clubhead instead of stopping behind the face
• Grip Feel: The grip is too slick, in my opinion. The shape is great, but I would rather have selected the corded grip version.

Best Putt or Round with this Putter

I had one hole where I was struggling to get to the green. I had a terrible tee shot, chunked my second, barely made it onto the green with my third, and had a putt to save par. I was on the opposite side of the green with a 25-footer on lightning-fast greens. The ball came off the face perfectly end-over-end and rolled towards the hole. I was worried that I hadn’t hit it hard enough, and with its last couple of rolls, the ball slowly dropped into the hole to save par.

Value for the money vs. other options

This putter provides an amazing feel for the money. At around $200, one would be hard-pressed to find something that feels as good. The TaylorMade Spider GT I had previously didn’t feel as soft or look as expensive, even though it cost more. That being said, comparing the feel to a Scotty Cameron Phantom or another premium milled putter would be interesting for the additional price required to acquire one.

Final verdict

The Cleveland HB Soft Milled #10.5 Slant Neck Putter brings the premium tour putter feel to the average golfer at an unbeatable price. The stock grip does leave something to be desired; however, with a golfer’s preferred grip, this putter has to be one that they take a look at when it comes time to upgrade their bag.