Callaway cuts ties with Good Good after YouTube golf scandal over ‘tone deaf’ commercial

Callaway has ended its relationship with Good Good Golf following the backlash over a now-deleted commercial.

Good Good, a YouTube channel that has become a booming business empire, came under fire over clip that showed co-founder Garrett Clark shoving a female co-host to the ground. 

Both Callaway and Good Good pulled the commercial from all platforms and posted groveling apologies.

But on Thursday, Callaway released a statement confirming it had ‘ended its relationship with Good Good, effective immediately.’

The golf giant said: ‘Over the last several days, we have listened and reflected deeply on the hurt and disappointment caused by the video we reposted.

‘We heard from individuals who shared personal experiences related to violence against women, and their stories were powerful reminders that this issue touches the lives of far too many people.

The popular golf social media brand has seen backlash from fans and sponsors over the ad 

‘Unequivocally, violence against women is unacceptable and should never be trivialized, normalized, or used as entertainment.’

Callaway revealed that it had completed a ‘review’ of the saga and would take several steps beyond cutting ties with Good Good.

‘In this instance, our content review process was not comprehensive enough. We have taken appropriate internal corrective actions and significantly strengthened our approval procedures to help ensure this doesn’t happen again,’ the statement continued.

‘We are committing $1million to support organizations working to prevent violence against women, provide resources to survivors, and advance education and awareness efforts.

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

‘One of Callaway Golf’s core values is to be a positive influence, both in the game of golf and in our communities. We are further strengthening our commitment to these initiatives, and this will be an ongoing focus in our company. We are committed to learning from this incident and helping ensure that golf is a place where everyone feels respected, valued, and welcome.’

The full-60 second ad – for the Good Good-branded Callaway Quantum driver – was supposed to be a spoof of the popular horror movie ‘Obsession.’

But the opening of the advertisement shows Clark rushing over and body-checking Good Good member Alexis Miestowski as she reached for the golf club.

The video depicts Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark body-checking collaborator Alexis Miestowski to the ground as she attempted to reach for a branded driver

The ad shows Clark standing over Miestowski and telling her not to touch his club

As Miestowski lay flat on her back on the ground, Clark is seen standing over before angrily saying: ‘Do not touch my new driver.’

The rest of the ad shows other members of the content team somehow becoming possessed by the golf club before the video ends.

In a video released following the backlash, Clark apologized and even called the commercial the ‘worst ad known to man’ – despite being the person at the center of the controversy.

‘I wanted to first start by saying, I personally want to apologize for playing the role in this skit, in this ad, at the magnitude that I did, and then on Good Good’s behalf and Good Good marketing team’s behalf, I wanted to say an apology as well because this is not at all what we stand for,’ he began.

‘Once again, I want everyone to know that I do not support DV [domestic violence] abuse or any of that, of any kind. So that’s the first thing I want to say, and I also wanted to offer you guys some clarity on the situation, if you guys are willing to hear.’

Clark added that the ad was supposed to draw inspiration from the popular horror movie but clearly missed the mark.

‘Looking back, super dumb ad concept,’ he admitted. ‘Terrible ad in general, not the greatest idea.’

He was also keen to drive home the point that it was a ‘complete skit’ and ‘I didn’t actually tackle a woman’, adding: ‘I never would, and I didn’t.’  

Garrett Clark posted his own apology video after the disastrous Callaway advert was pulled

Clark went on to tell his followers: ‘Once I watched it back and it got posted, my skin was crawling. I was cringing. 

‘I mean, just even minutes after I saw it get posted, before this surfaced everywhere online, I thought it was the worst ad known to man. 

‘The beginning of the ad was very intense with the way that that was pushed out there, and just not good all around. Not good. So I wanted to say that.’

He then went on to defend Miestowski – the woman pushed to the ground in the clip – and asked for abuse to be directed at him rather than her.

‘Her DMs have been, I think, completely unacceptable,’ he said. ‘I know Alexis is struggling with a lot of this… put it towards me personally. I can handle it. If you want to leave them in these these comments, you’re welcome to.

‘If you got any left in the tank, give Good Good some hate. You can give me some hate in the comments down below.

‘I do sincerely apologize for playing the role that I did in that ad, and I want you guys to know that I in no way, shape, or form support DV abuse or anything of the sort.’

Clark also defended Miestowski, saying her social media had been flooded with ‘unacceptable’ messages and instead told commenters to direct their anger toward himself and the brand

Backlash against the video was swift and came not only from golf fans but also by other brands that carried the products of the content creators – or those who collaborated with them.

On Tuesday, the Golf Channel posted a statement to reveal that the premiere of ‘Big Break x Good Good’ was being pushed back a week, after one of the show’s sponsors requested that its branding be removed from the series.

Although Golf Channel did not identify the sponsor, multiple reports said it was retailer Golf Galaxy, which had been listed as a presenting sponsor of the show.

Hours later, images and reports began surfacing showing that Golf Galaxy and Dick’s Sporting Goods had begun pulling all Good Good products from their shelves.

As criticism began to spiral, Good Good released a statement which read: ‘We posted a video to our channels that ultimately depicted actions that are not aligned with our values as a brand. We have since taken that content down and sincerely apologize.’

The statement added: ‘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 moving forward.’

Good Good rose from the Covid-era golf boom and is one of the sport’s most popular content creators, boasting over two million subscribers on YouTube. The cast of the group has changed since inception, but formerly included the likes of pro golfer Luke Kwon and YouTube golfer Grant Horvat.

Their stock rose so much that Good Good was named the title sponsor of a new PGA Tour event in Austin, Texas, this fall. Since the controversy, calls have grown to pull their sponsorship.

A Golf Channel statement revealed that Good Good’s TV show has been pushed back a week

The advertisement was created to promote a branded version of the Callaway Quantum driver

The PGA Tour is now facing calls to pull Good Good’s title sponsorship of an event in Austin

In the aftermath of the video’s release, PGA Tour bosses quickly expressed disappointment. On Tuesday, CEO Brian Rolapp was asked if Good Good took enough accountability.

‘Initially, no,’ Rolapp said. ‘I think what we saw was concerning and clearly not aligned with the PGA Tour values. We take it very seriously. 

‘I think their initial response was disappointing. It was a little bit defensive and late. But I think the responses are getting better. We’ve had some conversations with them, so we’ll continue to monitor and work with them going forward.’

Asked if it would affect their title sponsorship, Rolapp described it as a ‘fluid situation.’

‘We’ll continue to monitor the situation and see how it develops,’ he said.