Expert Comparison: Cleveland HB Soft Milled #11 Single Bend Putter vs Cleveland HB Soft Milled #8 Putter

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In this comparison, we are looking at two putters from Cleveland: the HB Soft Milled #11 Single Bend Putter and the HB Soft Milled #8 Putter. Both putters are designed with precision and performance in mind, offering golfers a soft feel, consistent roll, and easy alignment. The #11 Single Bend Putter is a mallet-style putter that is ideal for mid-handicappers, while the #8 Putter is a blade-style putter that is perfect for golfers with a slight arc stroke. Both putters feature Cleveland's Speed Optimized Face Technology for consistent speed and distance control. However, the #11 Single Bend Putter stands out for its forgiveness on mishits and its aesthetic appeal, while the #8 Putter shines for its distance control and ease of alignment. The final verdict will depend on the golfer's personal preferences and stroke type.
The Cleveland HB Soft Milled #11 Single Bend Putter is a mallet-style putter designed for precision and performance. It features a soft face milling that allows for consistent contact on every strike point, providing a consistent roll and excellent forgiveness on off-center strikes. The putter is well-balanced, with a face-balanced design and a hosel single bend that allows for an even feel through the stroke.
The putter comes with a few different length options, with the 35” length being perfect for golfers who stand at around 6’1”. The putter also has an oversized grip with a flat front, which allows golfers to feel where the head is facing through their hands and maintain a consistent grip every time.
The aesthetic appeal of the putter is also noteworthy. It features an all-black shaft with a dark satin gray head finish and a black alignment line. The dark colors allow for better focus on sunny days. However, some parts of the satin finish are minorly (inconsistently) shaded.
Despite its many strengths, the putter does have a few issues. The alignment line on the putter could be longer and flow into the face on the crown of the head, but it stops between the flanges. This could potentially affect the golfer's ability to ensure a proper angle for shorter putts.
Putting in store with this putter was better than I have ever putt. I left the store convinced of purchasing this model as the mallet style and face balance design worked much better for me. This putter rolled very well in all scenarios across all points of the face when deliberately trying to hit far off the toe and heel.
Putting in store with this putter was better than I have ever putt. I left the store convinced of purchasing this model as the mallet style and face balance design worked much better for me. This putter rolled very well in all scenarios across all points of the face when deliberately trying to hit far off the toe and heel.
Cleveland HB Soft Milled #11 Single Bend Putter
- We price match
- Returnable
The Cleveland HB Soft Milled #8 Putter is a blade-style putter that is designed for golfers with a slight arc stroke. It features a milled face design that provides a soft feel coming off the face of the putter. The specific milled pattern helps with distance control on strikes that don’t hit the center of the face, reducing skidding and promoting a true roll.
The putter has a heavier weighting and milled face grooves that provide a consistent roll and distance control even on off-center strikes, especially on putts of longer length. The matte black finish and white center alignment line help frame the ball nicely, giving confidence that the putter is lined up properly.
The putter comes in a 35” length, which is the ideal putter length for golfers who tend to bend over a little more at address or are shorter in stature. The putter also has a traditional look with a chrome and matte black finish with a white sight line that frames the golf ball nicely.
However, the grip is a pistol grip that is smaller than most grips today, which may not be ideal for golfers who prefer larger grips. The putter also does not have any customization off the rack, such as a moveable weight system.
The Cleveland HB Soft Milled #8 putter gave me the ultra-soft feel I was looking for with the consistency on varying-length putts that most soft-feeling putters do not have. Overall, the Cleveland putter's precision-milled face, high-contrast alignment aid, and sleek design make it a great option for golfers of all skill levels who want to improve their putting.
The Cleveland HB Soft Milled #8 putter gave me the ultra-soft feel I was looking for with the consistency on varying-length putts that most soft-feeling putters do not have. Overall, the Cleveland putter's precision-milled face, high-contrast alignment aid, and sleek design make it a great option for golfers of all skill levels who want to improve their putting.
Similarities
Both the Cleveland HB Soft Milled #11 Single Bend Putter and the HB Soft Milled #8 Putter are designed with precision and performance in mind. They both feature Cleveland's Speed Optimized Face Technology, which helps to produce consistent speed and distance control from heel to toe. Both putters also offer a soft feel, consistent roll, and easy alignment. They are both available in a 35” length and have a similar aesthetic appeal with their dark colors and white alignment lines.
Differences and Who They're Good For
While both putters are designed for precision and performance, they cater to different types of golfers. The #11 Single Bend Putter is a mallet-style putter that is ideal for mid-handicappers. It offers excellent forgiveness on mishits and has an oversized grip that allows golfers to maintain a consistent grip every time.
On the other hand, the #8 Putter is a blade-style putter that is perfect for golfers with a slight arc stroke. It provides a soft feel and consistent energy when coming off the face, and its heavier weighting and milled face grooves provide a consistent roll and distance control even on off-center strikes.
Analysis on Who’s the Winner
When it comes to forgiveness, the #11 Single Bend Putter is the clear winner. Its soft face milling allows for consistent contact on every strike point, providing a consistent roll and excellent forgiveness on off-center strikes.
In terms of feel, both putters offer a soft feel, but the #8 Putter's milled face design provides a softer feel coming off the face of the putter.
For alignment, the #8 Putter's matte black finish and white center alignment line help frame the ball nicely, giving confidence that the putter is lined up properly.
Finally, in terms of aesthetic appeal, both putters have a similar aesthetic appeal with their dark colors and white alignment lines. However, the #11 Single Bend Putter's all-black shaft with the dark satin gray head finish and the black alignment line may be more visually appealing to some golfers.
Comparison Table
Side by side comparison | ![]() ![]() Out of stock | ![]() ![]() Out of stock |
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Price | from:$154.97 38% off | from:$199.99 |
User rating | 4.85(13) | 4.88(8) |
The Curated Take | Best for golfers who value precision, affordability, and performance. | -- |
Head shape | #11 | #8 |
Club Type | Putters | Putters |
Grip type | Pistol | Pistol |
Conclusions
In conclusion, both the Cleveland HB Soft Milled #11 Single Bend Putter and the HB Soft Milled #8 Putter are excellent choices for golfers looking for precision and performance. They both offer a soft feel, consistent roll, and easy alignment. However, the #11 Single Bend Putter stands out for its forgiveness on mishits and its aesthetic appeal, while the #8 Putter shines for its distance control and ease of alignment. The final verdict will depend on the golfer's personal preferences and stroke type. Regardless of which putter you choose, both putters are sure to improve your game on the green.