First Look: ASICS GEL-Course ACE
- Srixon/ASICS introduces the ASICS GEL-Course ACE golf shoe.
- Lightweight shock absorbers
- Available for men and women starting Jan. 27
Did you know ASICS made golf shoes? For many years, ASICS has produced and engineered top-quality running shoes, and still do, for those who love to run. I’m not one of those people. Not because of the shoe but because I hate running. PERIOD! However, golf … that I like.
Let’s see what makes the ASICS GEL-Course ACE shoe tick.
What’s to Know About ASICS
ASICS was founded in 1949 in Kobe, Japan, with just four employees. Their first shoe was for basketball, not golf or running. At the time, the basketball shoe was the hardest shoe to manufacture but the company’s founder, Mr. Onitsuka felt that “if he can overcome a high hurdle at the start, he will be able to continue overcoming other hurdles as well.” Today, the more than 9,000 employees adhere to the same mentality.
In recent years, the ASICS brand has faced tough times and it has shown. However, since John Barba wrote the First Look article on ASICS in late December 2019, their stock has climbed from $16 past the $19 mark. Whether that trend is solely due to partnering with Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO or because they kitted out the Japanese Olympic and Paralympic teams for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games is undetermined.
Since partnering with Srixon/Cleveland/XXIO, ASICS has begun manufacturing golf shoes. We tested a couple of pairs in last year’s spiked and spikeless Buyer’s Guides and they held their own. But will ASICS continue the upward trend in 2021?
What’s New About the ASICS GEL-Course ACE?
The new ASICS GEL-Course ACE shoe was inspired by their legendary running shoes. The shape and appearance is reminiscent of their popular GEL-Cumulus 21 running shoe.
While more golfers are gravitating towards the spikeless shoe, ASICS listened to the golfer’s top priority: a waterproof lining.
The ASICS GEL-Course ACE’s biggest and best feature is the waterproof upper compared to their GLIDE and DUO BOAs which are only water resistant. Normally, when you hear “waterproof,” you think of stiff materials digging into your feet. However, the ACE shoe has a comfortable feel, like their running shoes, that most other waterproof shoes don’t have.
Just like other ASICS shoes, the biggest plus of the GEL-Course ACE is the overall comfort. According to ASICS, their knowledge of shock absorption and cushioning from their running shoe really makes an impact in the golf shoe with the ASICS GEL and Flytefoam technologies in the heel and sole.
The GEL-Course ACE is positioned nicely between the GEL-Course GLIDE and the GEL-Course DUO BOAs to complete the ASICS family.
ASICS GEL-Course ACE Key Features
- Lightweight Frame Work and Flexibility: Air mesh provides flexibility during the swing and while walking. ASICS FlyteFoam® provides lightweight shock absorption and plenty of durability.
- Flexible Waterproof Upper: Flexible mesh provides comfort while the thin PU and waterproof lining keep your feet dry in wet conditions.
- Supportive Fit: An air mesh at vamp and the integrated quarter panel provide a supportive fit while internal molded heel counter secures optimal foot support. Additional ankle padding helps ensure a custom fit that adapts to every move.
- Golf Specific Tooling: The FG traction sole pattern places spikes exactly where they need to be for stability and traction while walking the course. Rear-foot GEL cushioning reduces impact and increases shock absorption while toe and lateral rubber wraps help maintain balance throughout the golf swing.
How Did ASICS Perform in 2020 Most Wanted Testing?
What’s the point of a golf shoe if it doesn’t help you shoot lower scores? Think about traction, stability, comfort, lateral movement. If a shoe doesn’t perform well in those categories, you could spin out of the shot, lose balance, get blisters or to have too much or not enough movement when transitioning your weight during the swing. That said, how did the ASICS perform in the 2020 shoe test?
They held their own, considering they were a newcomer to MyGolfSpy Buyer’s Guides. The Glide and DUO Boa beat out some well-known brands such as FootJoy and NIKE. However, there’s always room for improvement. ASICS could have improved in the elements and traction sections but after testing the new ASICS GEL-Course ACE, I know they will score better based on their waterproof upper material. Traction and stability are yet to be determined. You will have to wait for the head-to-head testing to see where they finish against the best shoes in the industry.
Let me know how you think the ASICS GEL-Course ACE will perform in this year’s Buyer’s Guide. Post in the comment section.
ASICS GEl-Course ACE Availability
The ASICS GEL-Course ACE retail for $149.99 and are available in four different color schemes for men and women. Grab yours January 27th 2021.
Joe Perez
3 weeks agoI have 2 pairs of the boa’s and 1 pair of the glides. All I wear are ASICS running shoes. I’m a walker and love the boa’s. The guides are thrash. Wish I had bought my 2nd pair of boa’s instead to the glide. Probably why the ace was developed was to make up for the shortcomings of the glide series.
Brandon Bridges
3 months agoI wear the Asics Duo with Boa ties. They’re fantastic. In fact, I’m buying another pair for when my current pair wears out. I wouldn’t sleep on Asics as a brand. Nike and Adidas tend to run too narrow for my foot. And the Asics have been more comfortable for walking than any Footjoy I’ve owned in the last 20 years. In my experience, only the top of the line Eccos are significantly fit me better but at twice the price.
Michael
3 months agoI love my spikeless shoes and willing to give these a shot. I usually golf early morning but in Arizona, in at least the summer, I don’t have to worry about much water or dew early morning since it’s hot as balls at 6:30am. But in the winter I’d love to try them.
Denny
3 months agoI bought the new Asics because that all I wear in running and everyday shoes. They are the best. But the fit of the Asics golf shoe is not even close. They are way too narrow and the fit was terrible. I even had the size up and down sent to see if it was me, but unfortunately these are nothing like their running shoes. I really wanted to love them, but they juts did not fit. Sent them all back
O2BGolfn
3 months agoOwner of many pairs of the sneaker style golf shoes . Forget about any talk of waterproofing your feet with this style unless it says Goretex membrane. Ecco makes about the best for water resistancy but they are heavier shoes.
Tom
3 months agoDo they come in wide?
Roland
3 months agoThis is the “straight to DVD” of shoes. Don’t pay full price for these…pick them up at Ross/TJ Maxx in 6 months.
WaffleHouse Tour
3 months agoI wear Asics exclusively OFF the golf course at the recommendation of my podiatrist because I am an over-pronator. Helps so much. I have long wanted a set of Asics for the course but they didn’t have a waterproof option – a requirement for a dew sweeping walker like me. Absolutely want to give these a try.
Max R
3 months agoCouldn’t have said it better myself! I love all of my Ascics runners for my significant pronated feet. I don’t know what model(s) if any, have been built to accommodate my issues. I have on occasion wore my runners when I’ve played golf but definitely would benefit from ones with spikes.
Mike
3 months agoThose are nice looking sneakers. Yes, sneakers. I own both spiked & spikeless shoes & since my course usually plays a bit wet, the spikeless ones are worthless for me. Cannot imagine how anyone thinks you get the same traction vs spikes. And as one commenter alluded to, there’s a BIG difference between water resistant & waterproof.
I don’t understand the thinking of “I’ll wear these shoes on the golf course & then keep them to hang out with my friends”. Huh? You’d look like “Joe Dork”. Plus, wear those spikeless shoes outside on concrete for a while & you’ll see how fast they ground down.
Paulo
3 months agoHow are these a golf show and not a Sneeker ?
Barry Muller
3 months agoI wear 11 and a half in footjoy but I have to go to 12 in ASICS. I am talking the running shoes so not positive about golf shoes
Kurt
3 months agoI see on the Asics website that these shoes are described as “water resistant” rather than “waterproof”, which is a big difference to me. I am a “dew sweeper” so I rely on “waterproof” shoes. All three current pairs in my rotation have Gore-tex technology to take care of the water-related issues of playing early in the morning. Doubt if I could try a running-like golf shoe again and deal with soaking feet. Tried the FJ Freestyle when they first came out and got wet feet – yuck!
OwenO2
3 months agoYou didn’t touch on sizing which is very inconsistent between brands and even more so now. For instance I know that a Footjoy 11 1/2 w is a perfect fit with every model, but other brands are all over the map
steve0
3 months agomiss miss make, When you stick a running shoe in the washer you are potentially breaking down the glues that hold it together. Probably not a great idea.
I miss, I miss, I make
3 months agoOne question. Will they survive a trip through the washer and dryer?
Pete S
3 months agoI wonder if there’s a way to make it look MORE like a dad shoe.
Peter S
3 months agoGreat minds and people with a similar name think alike. I’m always in the market for a more comfortable golf shoe but they have to look half decent. Nothing about these gets me excited as far as looks. Make me think of dads and volleyball.