WHAT WE TRIED
Jordan ADG3 Golf Shoe
THE TESTERS
Hello, I’m Chris and I’m a golf-obsessed member of the MyGolfSpy workforce. Because the Director of Enterprise Improvement, I usually work as a conduit between our employees and different golf firms. I additionally spend a good bit of time in my sizzling tub amassing ideas into ramblings on tools or different golf matters. And, like a lot of you, I grew up throughout the period when “it’s gotta be the sneakers” meant one thing.
Hello, I’m Harry and I’m knowledgeable golf product tester. (Sure, they exist.) I check quite a lot of issues at MyGolfSpy and play professionally once I’m not checking and evaluating specs on gloves, rangefinders, baggage, ball retrievers, and so on. You possibly can name me the Director of Product Testing right here at MGS. You may as well simply name me Harry. That’s nice, too.
WHY ARE WE TRYING IT?
Michael Jordan is a world icon whose Jumpman brand is ubiquitous on the planet of sports activities. And should you’re a sneakerhead, each Jordan model golf shoe launch warrants a deeper dive.
WHAT IS THE JORDAN ADG 3 Golf Shoe?
Throughout the Jordan household tree of golf sneakers, there are two foremost branches: Retail releases and retro silhouette launches.
The retro choices are restricted runs that pay homage to basic Jordan basketball sneakers. Snagging a pair on the retail worth ($220) isn’t unattainable. Then once more, neither is getting a tee time at Jordan’s uber-private course, The Grove XXIII. As such, most patrons find yourself buying within the aftermarket. Costs range however a pair can go anyplace from a reasonably cheap $235 to greater than $1,500 relying on dimension and mannequin. That top-end quantity is pushed primarily by the Air Jordan 1 Golf sneakers and, extra particularly, the Jordan 1 Excessive Golf Cleat Chicago. Should you’ve been watching that area, you already know the “Taxi” Air Jordan 12 Golf is tentatively set to drop on March 9. Fingers crossed.
Conversely, Jordan ADG Golf Footwear line represents a extra inexpensive entry level ($140) for golfers who wish to rep the model with out dropping a automobile cost for a single pair. The intention of the ADG collection is to create a snug spikeless shoe with distinct Jordan aesthetics. Furthermore, the technique with Jordan ADG 3 is to take care of typical stock ranges in order that, inside purpose, anybody who desires a pair can entry it.
TESTING THE JORDAN ADG 3
Harry: I’ll be as blunt as I can since you, the patron, deserve it. Coming from the impartial golf shoe knowledgeable, with regards to NIKE-related golf sneakers, I’d quite put s**t in my palms and clap than play them. The NIKE Air Zoom Infinity Tour sneakers depart rather a lot to be desired from the consolation and efficiency standpoints. They could look candy and I do know the goal demographic is excessive on appears to be like. I get it. However consolation needs to be excessive on the record for a golf shoe. Interval.
Chris: I don’t disagree however aren’t we speaking concerning the Jordan ADG 3, not NIKE golf sneakers basically?
Harry: Right here’s the dilemma I’ve with the Jordan ADG 3. It appears to be like candy, like most NIKE-related golf sneakers, however they don’t have the efficiency facet for me. Sure, they’ve the enduring Jumpman brand which makes it method cooler however much less cool for me who didn’t develop up within the States. However I do know he’s an icon right here and all over the place the place basketball is a factor so I respect that. However in my thoughts, efficiency wants to return first.
Chris: There’s just one purpose you wouldn’t put on this shoe—and it isn’t associated to efficiency. You both haven’t any model, can’t stand good issues otherwise you had been a Knicks fan. OK, that’s three. And I’m kidding. Principally. That apart, I’m the proper goal purchaser for the Jordan ADG 3. Unique Jordan posters grasp in my storage and I nonetheless have a few pairs of Jordan basketball sneakers from highschool saved in my closet. The nostalgic draw of Jumpman is purpose sufficient to purchase them for these of us who mowed lawns for a whole summer time to purchase a pair of the Tinker Hatfield-designed Air Jordan 4s. However I hear you on the significance of efficiency. However, within the context of footwear, what does “efficiency” truly imply?
Harry: With efficiency in thoughts, right here’s what I discovered. The shoe itself is far more comfy than any NIKE golf sneakers I’ve tried earlier than. It’s rather a lot. Belief me. It’s broad from the heel to the toe field however but appears to be like slim when trying down at them. Sadly, the heel field is just too broad and permits your heel to maneuver an excessive amount of and causes points with weight switch. You both get to your proper facet and battle to get again to your left otherwise you keep central and battle to make use of the bottom successfully.
Chris: Is it attainable you merely have odd-shaped ft? I have a tendency to suit finest into medium-width sneakers and didn’t have any challenge with heel slippage. It’s additionally solely attainable that I don’t create the identical floor response drive in my swing as you do in yours.
Harry: One other challenge with the Jordan ADG 3 is its sole. Like many NIKE golf sneakers, they’re too slim and observe the contour of the higher leather-based. Why is that essential? A slim sole permits your foot to spill over and doubtlessly roll an excessive amount of weight over to both facet which causes timing points, power switch loss, not transferring weight in any respect, getting caught in your proper facet, will increase the possibilities of a slice … the record goes on. You want considerably of a wider base to have higher stability and provide you with an opportunity to maximise power switch from one facet to the opposite. Meaning you may push off your proper facet on the downswing and hopefully hit these dingers.
Chris: If that is true, it looks like doubtlessly a straightforward repair, proper? Past that, it appears to me that golfers who shift far an excessive amount of weight to the skin of the rear foot seemingly want extra assist than only a shoe with a wider sole. Equally, golfers who shift weight appropriately to the rear heel additionally don’t essentially require the identical quantity of stability. In any other case, how within the identify of Freddie {Couples} do skilled golfers put on street-style kicks throughout skilled occasions?
Harry: The final half the place the Jordan ADG 3 wants work is traction. Should you play on programs the place they maintain the fairways longer or end up within the tough most of the time, you’re good to go. Nevertheless, should you play a course with tight lies or is barely moist, you might be Bambi on ice to an extent. The rationale for that is that the course and orientation of the spikes simply aren’t efficient. The spikes are all on one degree which principally makes it a flat sole. Assume a flip-flop sole and that’s what you’ve received.
Chris: You’re not going to get a lot argument from me on this one. I is perhaps a Jordan fanboy and am due to this fact inclined to miss some flaws in consequence. That apart, any golf shoe—Jumpman brand or not—that prices me strokes (and $$$) on the course isn’t going to get a lot taking part in time. I won’t be a “skilled golf shoe reviewer man.” However I’m a client and, in the end, each shoe buy comes down to 3 elements: match, traction and luxury. Sure, model performs a task however should you can’t recognize the delicate nod to the Jordan 4 (wing-shaped higher eyelets and heel-tab), it is perhaps time so that you can crack open the historical past books and perform a little research.
WEARING THE ADG 3
Harry: I’ve been sporting these cheeky monkeys for a few days within the workplace and took them for a nine-hole spin. I’ll inform you what. I didn’t get any blisters and the shoe was comfy sufficient for a pleasing spherical. There weren’t any locations the place the shoe dug into my foot and, in my expertise, that may be a enormous win. So you may say my opinion is altering with NIKE-related sneakers. OK, not fairly, nevertheless it’s a step in the precise course.
Chris: That’s seemingly the advantage of the Zoom Air pocket within the forefoot and smooth midsole building of the ADG 3.
Harry: It actually comes right down to what sort of golfer you might be. Those that truly care about efficiency and their rating ought to NOT put on this shoe. Those that don’t care about their rating and deal with golf as a option to get with the lads or girls ought to take into account this shoe. It appears to be like good, consolation is there and it appears to be like good. I do know I stated that twice however that’s what quite a lot of golfers care about.
Chris: You couldn’t be extra mistaken. The actual drawback is dichotomous pondering that sneakers both have enough efficiency or they don’t. That apart, I’m not going to place the ADG 3 in the identical class because the adidas Tour360 line and I agree the ADG 3 is best suited to informal rounds than aggressive conditions. BTW, the vast majority of rounds of golf are performed by amateurs with no handicap in informal environments the place the USGA guidelines are, at most, a information. With that in thoughts, I took ADG 3s for a 36-hole spin in Arizona this previous weekend. It was principally dry, desert golf though morning dew and cooler temps stored loads of moisture on the course for the primary spherical. That is the place spikeless sneakers could be a legal responsibility. For an off-the-cuff spherical, it wasn’t an enormous deal. But when I had been taking part in in a event, I’d go for one thing with extra sturdy traction. That stated, the ADG 3 do include a one-year waterproof assure.
As soon as the course dried out, I didn’t discover any slipping or conditions that brought on me to query the general traction. The built-in traction sample is sweet however not nice. It’s the identical primary association as the unique ADG sneakers which NIKE went away from in favor of a tooth-like, linear sample in ADG 2.
By way of consolation, the ADG 3 is clearly higher than the 2 earlier variations. And whereas not fairly on the degree of the ST Coach, the ADG 3 affords a greater whole match than restricted launch Air Jordan 3 or Air Jordan 11 “Harmony” sneakers. This might be a straightforward shoe for me to put on from my home to the course after which neglect to take off. And since the ADG 3 doesn’t give off a standard golf shoe vibe, you gained’t catch any flak out of your buddies (or partner) should you put on them straight from the course to dinner. Actually, you’ll most likely obtain a number of compliments.
TAKEAWAY
Harry: I imagine it’s worthwhile to outline your self as a severe golfer or informal. Sure, you may be each and put on the ADG 3 from the workplace to the course for follow. However the issue lies right here: If you wish to get actually good at one thing, you wish to put on the identical sneakers that you just compete in to get the identical muscle reminiscence. In any other case, you’re making it method more durable than it must be. Those that are informal golfers and love just a few beers on the course and listening to music ought to go all in with this shoe. On the finish of the day, should you’re going to shoot within the 90s and above, you may as effectively do it in model.
Chris: NIKE/Jordan branded golf sneakers are a conundrum. Non-Jordan NIKE golf sneakers (Zoom Victory Tour, Zoom Infinity Tour, React Infinity Professional) are typically uncomfortable with poor traction. Not an excellent mixture. Conversely, the ADG line (and a number of other restricted releases) are precisely the alternative: loads of supple qualities and ample grip. Definitely, the ADG 3 goes to be most engaging to the retail Jordan fanatic. However for golfers who both don’t know or don’t care concerning the Jordan model, I don’t see the ADG 3 as extra enticing than related sneaker-like golf sneakers.
Most golfers who need a Jordan model shoe are going to purchase this one versus the restricted silhouette releases. As such, I’ve just a few options. First, come out with each spiked and spikeless variations. Secondly, make the Zoom Air extra of a advertising focus and visible expertise. Like Macklemore stated, it’s “that air bubble, that mesh …”
As all the time, inform us what you suppose!
