Putter · 2022
Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE
The CaddyIndex™ breakdown: our rating across all six performance dimensions, researched from published expert reviews, online sentiment and our own weighting algorithm.
By the CaddyCompare editorial team · updated 2 August 2026
Performance index
Six researched ratings, lower (blue) through to elite (gold).
Where it wins
- Distance84
- Forgiveness82
- Feel82
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Rated highest for distance and forgiveness; its softest dimension is workability.
You have a straight-back stroke, want a forgiving high-MOI value mallet with a consistent roll, and love the convenience of retrieving the ball without bending.
You dislike a novelty shape or want the softest feel — a standard HB Soft mallet or a premium milled putter suits you better.
Pros
- A handy ball-retriever — pick the ball from the hole without bending
- High-MOI mallet performance — no performance sacrificed for the feature
- A standout value with a consistent roll from the soft milled face
Cons
- A firmer feel than the other HB Soft putters, from the hollow behind the face
- A polarising, gimmicky shape with a hole in the head
- A face-balanced mallet offers little for an arc stroke
By dimension
Forgiveness
ExcellentA forgiving high-MOI mallet — the milled SOFT face and a stable head steady off-centre putts just like the other Huntington Beach mallets.
Distance
ExcellentA highlight — the milled SOFT face normalises ball speed for a soft, consistent roll and dependable distance control, strong from ten feet.
Workability
ModestA face-balanced high-MOI mallet built for a straight-back stroke — it rolls the ball dead straight, not made to shape a putt.
Feel
ExcellentA touch firmer than the other HB Soft putters — the hollow behind the face changes it, though it stays pleasant on centre.
Sound
StrongA slightly firmer, more hollow note at impact — the ball-shaped cavity behind the face changes the acoustics, still inoffensive on centre.
Looks at address
StrongA functional but polarising shape — a mallet with a ball-shaped hole in the head that some find gimmicky at address.
Sources
Dig into the independent expert reviews and lab tests that feed into how every club here is rated. Each one is worth reading in full — they carry the launch-monitor data, hands-on testing and detailed photography that paint the complete picture before you buy.
- Read the full review at Cleveland HB Soft 2 Retreve Putter Review | MyGolfSpy
- Read the full review at Cleveland HB SOFT 2 Retreve Putter Review | Golf Monthly
- Read the full review at Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putters — Reviews and Specs | Golf.com
- Read the full review at Cleveland HB SOFT 2 Putters | MyGolfSpy
- Read the full review at Cleveland Retreve HB Soft 2 Putter Review | My Luxury Golf
- Read the full review at Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Review | Golfer Hive
More Putter ratings
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE best for?
You have a straight-back stroke, want a forgiving high-MOI value mallet with a consistent roll, and love the convenience of retrieving the ball without bending.
Who should avoid the Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE?
You dislike a novelty shape or want the softest feel — a standard HB Soft mallet or a premium milled putter suits you better.
What handicap is the Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE suitable for?
The Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE scores strongest for high-handicap golfers, and also suits mid-handicap golfers.
What is the Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE best at?
In our research the Cleveland HB Soft 2 RETREVE rates highest for distance and forgiveness, and is softest on workability.