Good Good Golf leadership collapses following viral Callaway ad backlash

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Good Good Golf CEO Matt Kendrick and president Joe Flannery have stepped down from the media company following intense public condemnation over a promotional advertisement for a new Callaway driver, according to multiple reports. The commercial depicted a man pushing a woman to the ground and warning her not to touch the golf club.

Good Good co-founder Nahid Giga has been named interim CEO, according to details from an internal memo first reported by Business Insider.

The departures mark the latest fallout from a 60-second video created for Callaway’s co-branded driver. In the video, Good Good founder Garrett Clark shoves colleague Alexis Miestowski to the ground as she reaches for the club. Clark then stands over her and says, “Do not touch my new driver.”

The company had said the controversial video was meant to parody the horror movie “Obsession” (Getty)

While Good Good stated that the advertisement was intended as a parody of the horror film “Obsession,” the clip drew immediate and widespread criticism upon its release on Aug. 20. Although the company deleted the post the same day, copies of the video continued to circulate across social media platforms, rendering initial apologies from both Good Good and Callaway largely ineffective.

In an eight-minute response video posted online, Clark called the commercial “the worst ad known to man” and acknowledged that the content was “not what we stand for.” He added: “I do not support DV (domestic violence) or abuse or any of that of any kind.”

In a separate statement issued over the weekend following the video’s release, Good Good Golf apologized for the commercial, writing: “Good Good has always stood for making the game of golf more inclusive to all, and we will continue to ensure that is our mission going forward.”

Despite these statements, the backlash prompted several major corporate partners to sever ties with the brand. Callaway Golf ended its three-year sponsorship arrangement with Good Good effective immediately. Callaway CEO Chip Brewer acknowledged that although Good Good produced the spot, Callaway formally reviewed and approved it before publication. Brewer stated the approval should never have occurred and announced an internal investigation into the oversight.

Good Good personality Garrett Clark (Getty)

Callaway later announced on its social channels that it had taken “appropriate internal corrective actions” and instituted stricter approval protocols to prevent similar errors. Additionally, the equipment manufacturer committed $1 million to organizations dedicated to preventing violence against women.

“These actions do not undo the harm caused or excuse our role in it,” Callaway stated. “We sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt, disappointed, or offended by this incident.”

Major retail chains also moved quickly to pull Good Good inventory. Dick’s Sporting Goods and its subsidiary, Golf Galaxy, removed the brand’s apparel and merchandise from both their physical store shelves and online platforms.

Callaway ended its relationship with Good Good, and retailers including Golf Galaxy and its parent company, Dick’s Sporting Goods, removed the company’s merchandise from their shelves (Getty)

The commercial fallout extended into broadcasting and professional golf. Golf Channel initially postponed, then completely canceled, the upcoming season of its reality series, “Big Break x Good Good.” The network made the decision after a key sponsor, reportedly Golf Galaxy, requested to be scrubbed from the telecast.

Because the winner of the television series was scheduled to receive a sponsor exemption into a new PGA Tour event this fall, the network determined the competition could not proceed as designed.

“Following recent developments involving Good Good, and including the fact that the intended outcome of the series can no longer be fulfilled, Golf Channel will not be able to complete this season of Big Break as planned,” Golf Channel said in an official statement, noting that the “Big Break” franchise would return next year.

Good Good also relinquished its title sponsorship for the PGA Tour’s upcoming tournament in Austin, Texas, scheduled for Nov. 12-15. The event has since been updated on the PGA Tour website as the “Austin Championship.” The tour confirmed the tournament will still be played.

The company had said the controversial video was meant to parody the horror movie “Obsession” (Focus Features)

“After thoughtful discussions with the PGA Tour and careful reflection, we have decided to step away as sponsor of the tour event in Austin this fall,” Good Good shared in a social media message. “We recognize that we have work to do as an organization, and our focus right now is on our team, our culture and ensuring we will learn from this situation.”

PGA Tour leadership strongly disapproved of the advertisement. “We were disappointed with what we saw,” PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said regarding the initial response to the video. “The PGA Tour believes in golf’s ability to bring people together and create a welcoming environment for all.”

In a follow-up statement regarding Good Good’s departure from the Austin event, the PGA Tour added: “We agree with their decision to use this time to focus on their organization and the work ahead.”

Founded as a YouTube channel in 2020, Good Good Golf quickly grew into one of the sport’s largest digital content creators. Featuring eight men and four women competing in various matches and skill challenges, the enterprise expanded into television programming, specialized merchandise, and apparel lines.

The collapse of the partnerships highlights a sudden rift in the integration between digital creators and traditional golf institutions. In recent years, the PGA Tour has increasingly embraced online content creators, integrating personalities into exhibition matches during high-profile tournament weeks, including The Players Championship and the Tour Championship.

For more: Elrisala website and for social networking, you can follow us on Facebook
Source of information and images “independent”“