Cleveland Golf Putters

Cleveland Golf is more famous for its lines of wedges and wood clubs, but they have an interesting line of putters as well which offer a nice variety of choices even though they only have about a dozen models in their latest offerings.

Cleveland Golf Putters GM2 Exchange Product Line
These putters are the latest in the high end of the Cleveland Golf Putters lines. Their particular unique feature is a set of exchangeable weights that offer the golfer the opportunity to customize the clubs and account for different conditions or to compensate for certain tendencies in his or her putter stroke. That is, if a golfer tends to hit putts short, more weight can be added to have the ball travel further with the same stroke. One can adjust for fast or slow greens in the same manner, or for greens of different types of grass that roll differently. The putter heads can be adjusted from 320 grams to 370 grams, and more or less weight can also be added to the head or toe areas to account for individual preferences. There are five putters in this product line, two mallet style designs, two blade inspired putters, and a sort of combination of the two called the boomerang model. The putters are simply called GM2 Exchange numbers 1 through 5.

Exchange model 1 is a mallet style with a heel shafted putter. The body is made from milled aluminum, and there is a lighter composite aluminum face insert. Of course this type of design will have a high MOI, or moment of inertia, which reduces twist or turn of the clubface on putts not struck exactly on the sweet spot. There is a very prominent alignment aid, and I personally think this is a nice looking putter with an excellent design. Model number 2 is has essentially the same features, although it is a center shafted putter and is available for left handed golfers. Exchange model 3 is called the Boomerang, and that is a pretty good description. The putter looks to have two wings behind the toe and heel of the club, and a rounded arc which makes up the boomerang section, with the arc bending in toward the putter face. This model has a double bended shaft. Model number 4 is a blade inspired design. The putter has a bent neck shaft and a ¾ shaft offset. Its body is made of milled 304 stainless steel. This club also comes in left handed models. Finally, Model 5 is essentially the same as number 4 with a couple of exceptions. This putter has a plumber’s hosel as well as a 1 ½ shaft offset. Both number 4 and 5 are heel and toe weighted to increase the MOI of the putters.

Cleveland Visual Performance (VP™) Golf Putters
This line of putters consists if three clubs and sports a unique feature. That is, these clubs have an alignment aid that allows the golfer to be certain his or her head is directly over the ball and that the hands are in the proper position. A number of experts feel that the eyes of the golfer should be directly over the ball, including Dave Pelz, the well-known short game guru and author of "Putt Like the Pros" and other books. In any case this alignment feature will allow the golfer to make sure he is lining up the same each time, and this should help to minimize inconsistencies in his stroke. The VP 1 putter is a blade inspired design with a slanted plumber’s hosel and a full shaft offset. It also has a soft elastomer face insert for better feel and control. The V2 putter head very closely resembles the V1, but this putter has a different hosel. It has what is called a C-Neck hosel with a half shaft offset. The same face insert and alignment aids are on both clubs. The V3 model is a great looking mallet style putter (I confess to liking mallets with a modern look and design). This putter will have an exceptionally high MOI, and it has a double bend shaft with a ¾ shaft offset. All the other features are included, including the alignment and setup aids and the face insert.

Designed By Putters- Limited Editions For a Little Nostalgia
The Designed By 1905 is a remake of the old Calamity Jane style blade putter. Cleveland has incorporated a soft metal material previously introduced in wedges that has been acclaimed for providing a soft feel. If you really like the old traditional styles but appreciate the latest technologies, the Designed By series might be for you. The Designed by 1948 looks like an old Bull’s Eye style, but once again using more modern materials. Both putters come with soft leather grips to complement the nostalgic styling.

I really like the Cleveland Golf Putter line. It has lots to offer, several areas of unique innovation, and quite a few choices for a line with only a dozen offerings. A fair number of pros on the PGA Tour are using these putters, so they must perform well as well.