Retailers pull Good Good Golf merchandise after controversial ad, PGA Tour event in question
Major retailers have pulled Good Good Golf merchandise from shelves following a controversial advertisement, and the future of the group's PGA Tour-sponsored event is uncertain as the tour's CEO calls the situation "fluid."
Major retailers have pulled Good Good Golf merchandise from their shelves following a controversial advertisement that showed one of the group's founders shoving a woman to the ground, and the future of a PGA Tour event sponsored by the YouTube golf brand is now in question.
Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and the PGA Tour Superstore have removed the company's products from their stores, according to Front Office Sports. The move comes after Good Good Golf released an ad promoting a branded version of Callaway's new driver that was intended as a parody of the film "Obsession." In the ad, Garrett Clark, one of the group's founders, pushes Alexis Miestowski to the ground and says "do not touch my new driver."
The backlash was immediate. Fans criticized the ad for depicting a man shoving a woman, and Good Good pulled the content and issued an apology. "We posted a video to our channels that ultimately depicted actions that are not aligned with our values as a brand," the group said in a statement. "We have since taken that content down. And sincerely apologize. 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."
Callaway initially said it was "disappointed" in the video, but later issued a late-night statement confirming that the club manufacturer had approved the ad's release. The controversy has also delayed the debut of "Big Break X Good Good," a new show set to air on Golf Channel, after title sponsor Golf Galaxy reportedly requested that its name be removed from the broadcast.
The Good Good Championship, a PGA Tour event sponsored by the group scheduled for Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa's Fazio Canyons Course in Austin, Texas, could also be canceled. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp addressed the situation this week, saying he was disappointed in how the company initially handled the backlash. "I think initially no," Rolapp said when asked if the company's response was adequate. "I think what we saw was concerning, is clearly not aligned with PGA TOUR values. We take it very seriously. I think their initial response was disappointing. It was a bit defensive and late. But I think the responses are getting better."
Rolapp described the future of the event as a "fluid situation." "I think I mentioned before, it's a bit of a fluid situation," he said. "We were disappointed at first. It sounds like in the last 24 hours they've made some progress. We'll continue to monitor the situation and see how it develops."
Clark posted a lengthy video on X addressing the concept behind the ad, apologizing for his role in it, and explaining the pitch the group received from its marketing team. He took accountability for how bad the ad looks, repeatedly said it was a bad idea from the start, and confirmed that he did not actually hit a woman.
Good Good Golf has become one of the largest brand names among young people developing an interest in golf. The YouTube channel has partnerships with Callaway to develop putters, golf clubs and golf balls, and its branded apparel has been carried by major retailers, including WorldWide Golf Shops outlets such as Roger Dunn in Southern California, as well as Target, Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy locations.
The group also operates a separate YouTube channel called "Good Good Girls," which focuses on women playing golf. Critics of the retail pull have argued that removing merchandise and canceling shows goes too far for an ad that was poorly conceived but did not depict real violence, and that the group's apology and accountability should be weighed against the severity of the response.
