Full Breakdown
Callaway Terminates Good Good Golf Partnership After Backlash Over Violence-Against-Women Ad
8/29/2026, 11:06:07 AM
The Controversial Advertisement and Immediate Fallout
A 60-second video released on August 21 promoted a co-branded driver from Callaway and the YouTube-based golf collective Good Good Golf. Viewers condemned the skit as trivialising violence against women. Within hours the clip was removed from both companies’ social-media channels, and the controversy sparked calls for a boycott of Callaway products.
Background and Context
Good Good Golf, launched in 2020, has grown into one of the sport’s most-watched YouTube channels, amassing over two million subscribers and expanding into apparel and equipment. The brand began a partnership with Callaway in 2023, co-branding drivers, balls, shoes and gloves. The collaboration also secured Good Good as the title sponsor of a PGA Tour event scheduled for November in Austin, Texas.
Official Statements & Responses
Callaway issued a statement acknowledging that its internal review process “was not comprehensive enough” and that the ad had been approved by the company before posting. The manufacturer said it had taken “appropriate internal corrective actions” and would strengthen its approval procedures. Callaway also announced a $1 million donation to organizations that work to prevent violence against women and support survivors.
Industry Reaction
Retailers responded swiftly. Dick’s Sporting Goods and its subsidiary Golf Galaxy pulled Good Good merchandise from both physical stores and online catalogs. The Golf Channel postponed the premiere of its reality series “Big Break x Good Good” after a sponsor requested the removal of the brand’s logo.
The controversy also affected the upcoming Good Good Championship in Austin. While the event remains scheduled, the PGA Tour’s public disappointment signals potential reassessment of the sponsorship.
Data & Statistics
- Callaway’s share price fell from $19.66 in mid-July to $15.60 on the day the partnership was terminated.
- The ad was removed from both companies’ websites within a day of the backlash.
- Good Good’s YouTube channel has 2.3 million subscribers (as reported by Business Insider).
Verbatim Quotes
- “I personally want to apologize for playing a role in the skit, in this ad, at the magnitude that I did,” — Garrett Clark, good golf co-founder
- “We fully own that we did make a mistake. ... As the CEO of the company, the buck stops with me and we should have had better processes in place,” — Matt Kendrick, good good CEO
- “I think what we saw was concerning, is clearly not aligned with PGA Tour values. We take it very seriously,” — Brian Rolapp, tour commissioner
- “These actions do not undo the harm caused or our role in it,” — Several Callaway
- “While the video was produced by Good Good, it was approved by Callaway prior to posting,” — Callaway CEO Chip Brewer, callaway chief
- “Unequivocally, violence against women is unacceptable and should never be trivialised, normalised, or used as entertainment.” — Several Callaway
What’s Next
Callaway has pledged to monitor the fallout and continue its internal review, while the PGA Tour said it will keep “working with” the parties involved. No specific future dates have been announced for further actions or hearings.
