First Look: Cleveland Golf’s TFI 2135 Putters

By Dave Wolfe

2135?

Up until today, I have never associated the number 2135 with golf. To be fair, I don’t know that the number has ever crossed my mind before today. After today, however, Cleveland Golf hopes that 2135 will become firmly entrenched golf’s collective consciousness.

So what is the association between 2135 and golf?

Is that Keegan Bradley’s street number in Boston?
Is it Ben Hogan’s opening four hole scores in the 1951 US Open?
It must be the number of times that Phil has hit some crazy under-the-tree-and backwards flop shot that somehow landed three feet from the stick, right?

Actually, 2135 is a reference to a physical property of the golf ball. You see, the exact center of the golf ball is 21.35mm above the ground.

While that’s sort of a random factoid, it is one that Cleveland Golf believes will help all of us to perform better on the greens. In fact, Cleveland believes that its new alignment scheme based upon that number is “perfect for everyone”.

2135 and Alignment

Cleveland’s new TFI 2135 line of putters incorporates that 21.35mm measurement into their alignment scheme. Specifically, what they have done is elevate the sight line above the back flange to the point where it lines up with that center point of the ball.

The ball’s center is 21.35 millimeters above the ground, and so is the sight line.

Let’s take a look at what Cleveland says about the 2135 technology:

Correct alignment regardless of address position sounds pretty darn good to me. Let’s face it, we don’t always line up over the ball at the exactly same angle each time. Cleveland claims that their alignment system compensates for that.

Though we still need to run this claim through some objective testing, anything that can help a golfer align putts better has the potential to help him or her to make more putts.

Cleveland Golf TFI 2135 Putter Models: General Specs

• Loft: 3°
• Lie: 70°
• Finish: Matte black
• Available Lengths: 33/34/35 (1.0 & 6.5), 36/38 (8.0)
• Left Handed Model: 1.0
• Face: TFI (milled copper infused cap over polymer)
• Price: $129.99 (blade), $159.99 (mallet), & $169.99 (CB-blade)

In the initial run, Cleveland has incorporated the 2135 technology into three new models, the 1.0, 6.5, and 8.0. All three of these models feature the 2135 elevated sight line and Cleveland’s TFI copper/polymer insert system. Let’s take a closer look at the three models:

Cleveland Golf TFI 2135 1.0

The TFI 2135 1.0 is the traditional heel-toe weighted blade in the 2135 line-up. It has a 4:00 toe hang, likely best suited for slight arc putting strokes.

Cleveland Golf TFI 2135 6.5

The TFI 2135 6.5 is a heel-shafted mid mallet. The single-bend shaft produces a face-balanced toe hang, likely matching the stroke characteristics for a straight putting path.

Cleveland Golf TFI 2135 8.0

The 2135 8.0 is a beefy blade. As you can see, it is much bulkier overall when compared to the 1.0, yet it retains the new 2135 alignment system. The 8.0 also features a toe hang around 4:00, accommodating the slight arc player who is looking for the added stability offered by counterbalancing.

TFI 2135: First Impressions

As I mentioned before, we will really need to test these to see if the elevated sight line actually improves alignment/putting like Cleveland says it does.

That being said, I am very impressed with what I have seen so far from these putters. The matte finish looks great, even in full sun, and the TFI insert has a crisp, yet soft feel to it when you roll the ball. But again, the 2135 alignment system is the story here.

Kudos, Cleveland Golf.

In terms of the 2135 tech, I applaud Cleveland for developing an alignment technology that is truly something different. We have seen lines on the bottom, as well as lines on the top edge, but I don’t recall any design that puts the line right at the middle of the ball.

Quite a few people gave Cleveland grief when they launched the Smart Square line, basically saying that changing balls to squares was hardly an original take on alignment. If we are to criticize companies when they do that, then we must applaud them when they innovate.

As such, I put my hands together today for the 2135, and I look forward to seeing how these putters perform.

What do you think about 2135, think it could help your putting?