A driver ad featuring Good Good Golf’s Garrett Clark drew immediate criticism, prompting Callaway to cut ties. Major retailers pulled merchandise, and the fallout now threatens a FedEx Cup event sponsorship.
Callaway Golf has ended its partnership with Good Good Golf after widespread criticism of a recent advertisement. The ad, released on August 21, showed Good Good founder Garrett Clark pushing a female golfer to the ground after she touched his new driver. Ominous music played as Clark stood over her and said, "never touch my driver."
Callaway pledged to donate $1 million to organizations supporting survivors of violence and working to prevent violence against women as part of its response to the controversy.
Good Good Golf first issued a short apology, but as criticism grew, Garrett Clark posted an eight-minute video statement on Wednesday evening. He apologized and said the ad was meant as a spoof of the movie Obsession, insisting it did not reflect Good Good Golf’s values.
Callaway CEO Chip Brewer publicly acknowledged that the company had approved the controversial video before its release, calling this a mistake and stating that the content did not reflect Callaway’s values. The company has since promised to strengthen its internal review processes for marketing materials.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called the ad "concerning" in a recent interview and described Good Good’s initial response as disappointing. He said the situation is still developing. Reports suggest the PGA Tour is considering its options for the event, and several other sponsors may withdraw if Good Good Golf remains as the title sponsor.
The controversy shows how quickly social media reactions can affect brand partnerships and event sponsorships, especially when influencer content is involved.
Callaway Golf, founded in 1982, is one of the world’s largest golf equipment makers, with annual revenues over $3 billion and a presence in more than 70 countries. Partnerships and sponsorships have long been central to its marketing, making the decision to cut ties with Good Good Golf a notable move in the golf industry.
