Callaway Cuts Ties With Good Good Golf After Controversial Driver Ad

The commercial featured Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark rushing toward Alexis Miestowski—a professional golfer and content creator for the brand’s women-focused channel who previously played golf at Indiana University—shoving her to the ground, and standing over her to declare, Do not touch my new driver. Viewer backlash was immediate, with critics across social media condemning the sketch for depicting violence against women.

Good Good removed the advertisement from its channels over the weekend. In its initial statement, the company acknowledged that the video ultimately depicted actions that are not aligned with our values as a brand, adding that they sincerely apologized for the content. Yet that statement did little to stem the tide of criticism from consumers and corporate partners alike.

Callaway Cuts Ties and Pledges $1 Million Following Driver Ad Backlash

“That approval should never have happened. Mistakes were made, and we are taking the matter very seriously.”

Chip Brewer, CEO of Callaway

Alongside terminating the partnership, Callaway pledged $1 million to support organizations dedicated to preventing violence against women, providing resources for survivors, and advancing education and awareness initiatives.

Garrett Clark Releases Eight-Minute Apology Video Detailing ‘Obsession’ Parody

Amid intensifying fallout, Garrett Clark posted an eight-minute video statement on Wednesday night, August 26. In the footage, Clark explained that the creative concept was conceived as a parody of a scene from the horror film Obsession but conceded that the execution was a severe miscalculation.

“I personally want to apologize for playing a role in the skit, in this ad, at the magnitude that I did. And then on Good Good’s behalf and on Good Good marketing team’s behalf, I wanted to say an apology as well because this is not at all what we stand for, the way that this ad was received is not how Good Good is, and it’s not what we stand for, once again.”

Garrett Clark, Co-founder of Good Good Golf

Clark also revealed behind-the-scenes footage to demonstrate that no physical contact occurred during the shoot. He expressed deep regret over the online harassment and death threats directed at Miestowski in the aftermath, calling the abuse completely unacceptable and urging critics to direct their anger toward him or the company rather than his colleagues.

Retailers Pull Merchandise and PGA Tour Sponsorship Collapses

The commercial’s commercial repercussions reverberated rapidly across the retail and tournament landscape. Major retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy completely removed Good Good-branded products from their shelves and online storefronts. Meanwhile, the Golf Channel postponed the premiere of its reality competition series Big Break x Good Good by a week after a presenting sponsor requested the immediate removal of its branding.

The fallout also impacted professional golf’s highest tier. Good Good had been slated to serve as the title sponsor for an FedEx Cup Fall event scheduled for November 12–15 at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas. On Thursday, Good Good announced that it had officially stepped away from the sponsorship.

PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp had earlier characterized the situation as fluid, noting that the organization viewed the initial corporate responses as disappointing. It was a bit defensive and late. Following the group’s decision to withdraw its sponsorship, the PGA Tour confirmed that the Austin tournament will proceed as scheduled while leadership evaluates replacement sponsorship plans.