It’s time to raise the curtain on Cleveland Golf’s new Huntington Beach SOFT Premier putters and its expansion of the successful Huntington Beach SOFT line. Cleveland Golf has consistently proven that you can make high-quality milled putters with absolute attention to detail and face technology at a really competitive price point. If you haven’t been paying attention to Cleveland putters, it may be time you perked up because you may just be surprised with what you learn.
Milling technology is the big story with both lines, as the new Huntington Beach SOFT Premier and the Huntington Beach SOFT putters are built on the same underlying technology, SOFT. SOFT, or Speed Optimized Face Technology, is face milling technology that is designed to help golfers with one of the biggest problems plaguing amateurs: speed and distance control. Cleveland Golf’s proprietary Speed Optimized Face Technology is designed to normalize ball speed across a larger portion of the face, including impacts that stray from the center.
According to Cleveland, SOFT works by creating a non-uniform milling pattern on the face. Specifically, SOFT putters feature a condensed and concentrated milling pattern in the center of the face, which effectively decreases the amount of direct contact between the face and the ball at impact, and a more spaced out milling pattern as you get further away from the center that increases direct contact with the ball. As a result, center strikes have less direct contact with the ball, and off center strikes have more direct contact with the ball, but with SOFT the inherent lower speeds caused by off-center strikes is effectively normalized with a center strike. All told, you get better, more consistent speed control regardless of impact location. If you are anything like me, having more consistent speed control will directly translate to more confidence on the greens, more aggressive strokes, and shorter second putts.
Another thing to love about SOFT is that it is technology you can see. And if you take a look at multiple different models, you will clearly see that Cleveland’s SOFT design is not once size fits all. Indeed, Cleveland has carefully optimized a SOFT milling design for each putter, so you will have an optimized milling regardless of which shape you use.
Huntington Beach SOFT Premier
The new Huntington Beach SOFT Premier putters are designed with a premium, sleek appearance as compared to the successful Huntington Beach SOFT line. Each putter in the Premier line features a Grey Satin finish that limits glare and adds a quality finish and high-end look. The dark Grey Satin finish is paired with a black shaft and an all-black grip, which gives the putter an aggressive and modern look. Although the darker finish won’t technically make you a better putter, there is something to the idea of “look good, feel good; feel good, putt good.”
As the photos above show, the face of the Huntington Beach SOFT Premier putters has a uniquely crafted, deep diamond-shaped CNC milled pattern in the 340 Stainless Steel head. This type of milling design produces a soft sound and feel at impact that Cleveland putters are known for.
Not only is the SOFT milling design unique to each head shape, the stock putter grip is also optimized depending on the shape of the putter. Face balanced Premier putters, which favor a straight back-straight through stroke, come standard with an all-black Lamkin SINKFIT Pistol grip. Toe Hang Premier putters, which favor a slight to strong arc, come stock with an all-black Lamkin SINKFIT Skinny Pistol. Matching your grip type to your stroke is a fantastic thing because a better fit means better performance.
The Huntington Beach SOFT Premier will be offered in lengths of 33, 34, and 35 inches and in the following eight shapes at launch:
Huntington Beach SOFT
In addition to the Premier line, Cleveland Golf is expanding its successful Huntington Beach SOFT line of putters to include the same shapes as the Premier line.
The new Huntington Beach SOFT putters feature the same SOFT technology described above with the same deep CNC milled diamond pattern in the same soft 304 Stainless Steel. As a result, the technology that is packed into the Premier line is also available in a Satin finish. The Huntington Beach SOFT putters that are face balanced come stock with the Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach SOFT Oversized Grip, whereas putters with a slight to strong arc come stock with a Huntington Beach SOFT Pistol Grip.
As was the case with the original Huntington Beach SOFT putters, Cleveland offers customization and paintfill for a very small fee on both lines of putters directly through its website. Plenty of golfers have already discovered the quality of Cleveland’s putters, and these new lines continue to show that just because it is one of the best deals on the market doesn’t mean it can’t dominate and stand out from the crowd, too.
You can learn more about these new putters and other club offerings by visiting their webstie at www.clevelandgolf.com.
The Details:
Huntington Beach SOFT Premier
Available: August 21, 2020
Price: $159.99
Heads: # 3, 4, 8, 10.5, 10.5C, 11, 11S, 14
Grips: SINKFIT Skinny Pistol or SINKFIT Pistol
Huntington Beach SOFT
Available: August 21, 2020
Price: $129.99
Heads: # 3, 4, 8, 10.5, 10.5C, 11, 11S, 14
Grip: Huntington Beach SOFT Oversized Grip or Huntington Beach SOFT Pistol Grip
Oh yeah, they are going to fall. You are getting all the missed out of the putter now.
The Cleveland SOFT face just really works for me, I am so confident with my speed/distance that I can really concentrate on my alignment and line. I still think I do better with the #11 shape, but if I can keep putting the #10.5 like I did today the gap will be pretty insignificant.
A couple of pictures of this great course:
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Holy **** that course is beautiful.
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It happens to the absolute best of us – I’ve been struggling putting in general but the SOFT has be with good speed control, thankfully. Low stress two putts have been a life saver when not much is falling.
I’ve got the Premier #10.5, and an HB SOFT #11, and I’ve never noticed that with either of them. Of course I don’t often hit the putter low on the face. :confused2:
They are head heavy, I’ve got to agree with that. I think many will love that, but definitely not all.
Oh well, I’m still pondering the Premier 10c or the Frontline Elevado.
Elevado is a very good putter. Can’t go wrong there.
True. I’ve got it on good authority that it "out 7’s the 7".
I heard that too.
Glad to hear the dude abides.
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Well, the white alignment line worked better for me than the stock black line , but it leaves a bit to be desired aesthetically. I’ve got all kinds of materials to try different colors, here’s one with red retro-reflective tape (looks like I need to stick it on a little better), I’ll give this a try, and I have all different colors of this stuff if I’m not happy with the red.
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I even used it to basically chip in for par from about 10 yards off the green. Normally I would use a wedge from there but I was not hitting chips that well so I decided to use the putter. It was [emoji383] money!
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Anyway, about the Soft Premier 10.5C. Let me preface this by saying I am an insert guy when it comes to my putter, always have been. I’ve tried several milled putters and have always struggled with feel and speed. I took 10.5C with me to play Wolf Creek on Monday after the Morgan Cup. Wow!!! That has a Monday after The Masters ring to it. I finished the round with 29 putts, not because of missing greens and chipping either. I hit 60% of the greens and most I missed where fringe which I count as putts. This putter felt so good. I never once thought of it as a milled stainless steel putter. Speed and feel where as good as ever. But most importantly for me, those dreaded 5 footers where not an issue. It felt as if I had been using this putter for months. I made 4 birdies, none of which were tap ins. One from 30ft or so. Due to weather I’m not sure how much I’ll get to play in the future, but I can’t wait to get this putter out on the course again. Hopefully the first round wasn’t one of those where everything goes right with a new club. I really don’t think it was.
I can’t thank Jeremy enough, it still amazes me to this moment. But THP, it’s staff and it’s members have amazed me from day one. Hopefully I can live up to the same standards. I’m gonna give it everything I’ve got because this place is truly special.
Phenomenal.
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What’s the main issue distance wise?
Interesting! I’ve had speed problems too but it’s been me crushing the ball. Mine can’t be attributed to the putter though / I’ve been falling in love with a line and speed suffers
Just a note: I believe the 11S is the slant neck. What you have pictured is the 11 which is face balanced. Either way, Im with @Molten. If i have speed issues it’s because I crushed it.
I think it’s just the idiot that is holding the putter in my case. I tend to get a little excited trying to make putts. Ok, a lot excited.
I really love the putter but I’m still getting used to it.
Does anyone find that they’re taking shorter strokes with theirs? The ball seems to really accelerate off the club face moreso than my other putters. I am switching from a Cleveland Huntington Beach #1.
Yeah, I took easier strokes for the same distance. I’m guessing it is the head weight? I’m not sure but it’s just a small adjustment
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Same here. I am not having to strike it as hard to keep my ball on the proper line.
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Honeymoon putting is my favorite putting
I mean, yeah. It’s quality to cost ratio is off the charts. My expectations have been exceeded as a first time Cleveland putter owner.
Yes. It’s a nice putter, especially at that price point.
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The grip on these putters are very underrated as well IMO. I love it!!!
I wish they made that model for lefties, I’d pull the trigger in an instant.
I’m with you on that! I just ordered a similar Lamkin SinkFit grip for my original HB SOFT #11.
That 11 is face balanced right?
Yes it is.
A few of the aftermarket cover makers have mid-mallet designs. I had a Robert Mark Golf one for my Toulon Atlanta that was basically just a wider blade style cover. Worked great.
I didn’t think I’d be saying this, but I don’t think my HB SOFT #11 is going to get a chance to go back in the bag. The #10.5 looks great, has the best grip I’ve ever had on a putter, and is just working so well I can’t see any sense in making a change.
The premier and non releases are the same (it’s in the article ?)
Now if only they could make some 10-15 grams lighter in the head…