The Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin putters follow on from the previous Cleveland TFI 2135, but the satin finish is not the only difference.
The face has 3° of loft and still sits in front of a Polymer face insert on a 17-4 stainless steel body, but now it has been milled with variable depth grooves.
The milling on the TFI 2135 Satin is three times deeper than before and the pattern varies according to the size of the head it is on.
Basically the heel and toe have less grooves than the centre so if you hit it out there then it will come off faster to make up for the fact that it loses speed as there is less mass behind the ball at impact. Therefore off-centre hits should go the same distance as centre hits and you should hopefully make a few more putts or at least be closer to the hole.
However each of the TFI 2135 Satin heads has a different mass and shape, so Cleveland has created a different milling pattern for each individual head so that it delivers the optimum level of speed control.
This is quite clever as the wider blade heads like the 1.0 have a toe hang whereas the more compact mallets are face balanced so they will perform in different ways.
The 2135 part of the name comes from the sight line on all the models that is raised up 21.35mm from the ground so that it is level with the centre of the golf ball.
This means that whatever your eye position, the centre of the putter should be correctly aligned with the ball so that you make more centre strikes and don't need all that face groove technology after all.
It's a well thought out feature and whilst it may look a bit odd from the side, at address the black areas all blend in and you just see the raised white alignment line.
All the putters come with a choice of a standard mid-sized pistol grip or a 63g oversized, non-tapered, flat front grip, both of which are lovely to hold.
The Satin range comes in 33, 34 and 35 inch shafts with a 70° lie and in a couple of the mallet heads you can also get a longer 38 inch shaft so you can place your hands wherever you want on a longer oversized counterbalanced grip.
The counterbalanced grips are 148 grams, which is 85 grams more than the standard oversized grip and the head weights adjust accordingly too. I can say that on balance they are one of the best balanced, counterbalanced putters I have reviewed.
There are five models in the initial launch of the Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin range, which are the same as the previous models, so I shall take you through them all with my thoughts:
Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin 1.0 Putter
This is your classic Anser style putter with quite a high hosel and a longer than average blade length and thicker top line.
Being a blade it is the lightest head at 345g and it does have a little toe hang so will suit strokes that have an arc on them.
Due to the head style this was one of the better sounding and feeling putters in the range for me, so if you like a classic shape then you will like the 1.0.
Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin 8.0 Putter
The 8.0 is the other blade style head in the range that is face balanced and comes with a chunkier look than the 1.0 and a single bend hosel.
The top line is 2mm wider and the larger heel and toe weighting and wider flange gives this a heavier look and feel and therefore the 2135 sight line seems a little lost visually.
The 8.0 is currently only available with the counterbalanced grip in 35 or 38 inch shafts and a 405g head, so if you like them heavy and blade-like then the 8.0 is for you.
Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero Putter
The Cero is visually the mallet that most will be drawn to first as it looks very clean and pleasing on the eye.
The 370g head sat particularly well at address for me and the sight line was clearly visible on the large black V area, although it would be interesting to see the line extend to the full depth of the head.
Named after the Spanish for zero, so maybe that is the number of 3-putts you will take..?
Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Rho Putter
Named after the Greek number for 100, the Rho is just over 100mm wide and is a pretty functional looking design for those who like a technical looking putter.
However it was one of the most solid sounding and feeling heads on test and you can have the 370g head in a 34 or 35 inch shaft.
Of the three mallet shapes, it is the largest and the two silver bars either side of the alignment line that go to the back of the head take over visually and really help with aiming, so if you struggle with that then the Rho has your number.
Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Elevado Putter
Named after the Spanish for high, it may lift your game up and this was my personal favourite.
It is a 'weel kent face' as they say in Scotland and most of you will recognise this shape as it has almost become as classic as the Anser or the 2-ball.
The Elevado is also 370g and is the smallest of the mallets heel to toe, but it is in proportion and the two rear bars help with the MOI and alignment.
The sight line is easily seen and through impact it gave the nicest sound and feel for me. It's the only head available in 33, 34, 35 and 38 inch counterbalanced options, so it must mean that Cleveland like it too.
Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Putter Summary
Overall this is a well-designed and thought through range from Cleveland and the Satin finish looks a lot more premium than the previous black heads and copper faces. The silver heads with the black polymer inserts mean that the flashes of the insert that are visible at address on the heel and toe are also a lot less noticeable.
The sound and feel varies a little through the range, probably due to the differing sizes of head and insert, so it will just be a case of finding a shape that suits your eyes, ears and stroke.
The face milling brings an element of extra forgiveness to an insert face with a difference and the raised 2135 sight line makes sense. What also makes sense is a pretty competitive price, making the Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin a good value for money putter for all levels of player.