BOA vs. Laces: Footwear Rotations at the AIG Women's Open

If there's one thing I've taken note of about the stylistic choices being made at the AIG Women's Open, is that these athletes love, and I mean love an all white, or nearly all white golf shoe. To take it a step further, a lot of these pros are rocking shoes equipped with BOA technology.

It's a silhouette that a lot of the women on Tour are embracing, but why?

What is BOA?

The BOA fit system is an alternative way of tightening the golf shoe over traditional laces. Each brand has their own special and unique BOA tech, but the basis of the concept is centered around three key parts: a micro adjustable dial, super-strong lightweight laces and low friction lace guides. If you watch golf you've probably seen the adjustable dial, it's that little nob either on the side of the shoe or on the heel that functions like laces would.

The dial typically uses a push/pull system—push to engage the laces and pull to release—to tighten or loosen the grip around your foot. Shoes with BOA tech do have laces that are primarily there to secure the foot into the shoe so that it conforms around you, prioritizing and maximizing stability and comfort.

Spotted on athletes like Linn Grant and Celine Boutier, BOA shoes are known for their sleek, very minimal appearance. Like the Teslas of shoes—very recognizable for the distinct dial and they don't have a ton of extra finishes to their profiles.

France's Celine Boutier on the 9th on day one of the 2025 AIG Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl. Picture date: Thursday July 31, 2025. (Photo by Nigel French/PA Images via Getty Images)

What are the advantages to BOA tech?

You essentially slide your foot in and twist the dial to your desired tightness, and you're on your way. It's much quicker to get your shoes on and off and it's also much easier to change how loose or tight the fit of your shoe is mid-round thanks to the easy access dial.

On the course, there's nothing worse than the feeling of your laces loosening mid swing, especially on shots that you needs stability, where you have a down hill lie or hitting out of a hazard—traction is important.

The biggest appeal around any BOA lace system is that it provides an even more exacting fit than traditionally laced shoes. Not all feet are created equal, and how you lace a shoe matters. With the adjustable dial, no matter your shoe size or width, you're more likely to have a more precise fit with BOA.

Charley Hull of England tees off on the third hole during the first round of the AIG Women's Open 2025 at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on July 31, 2025 in Bridgend, Wales. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

What's better, BOA or laces?

There's a long list of players at AIG still rocking the classic laces, from Charley Hull to Nelly Korda—it all comes down to preference, but BOA technology is definitely trickling its way into the future of women's golf footwear.

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