Good Good Golf loses Callaway and PGA Tour deals after ad
Good Good Golf is losing major partnerships after a controversial Callaway ad showed co-founder Garrett Clark shoving a woman to the ground. Callaway ended ties on August 27, 2026; hours later, Good Good stepped down as title sponsor of a November PGA Tour event in Austin as retailers and Golf Channel pulled back from the creator-led brand.
Key Takeaways
- Callaway cut ties with Good Good Golf on August 27 after backlash over a 60-second driver ad depicting physical violence against a woman.
- Good Good withdrew as title sponsor of a PGA Tour event scheduled for Nov. 12–15 at Omni Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas.
- Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, and Golf Channel distanced themselves; Golf Channel canceled the "Big Break x Good" reboot.
- Callaway pledged $1 million to domestic violence prevention organizations and acknowledged flaws in its review process.
- PGA Tour commissioner Brian Rolapp called Good Good's initial response disappointing and misaligned with tour values.
What happened in the Good Good Golf and Callaway ad?
The controversy began when the ad debuted on August 21, 2026. In the 60-second spot promoting a co-branded Callaway driver, Clark shoved content creator Alexis Miestowski to the ground as she reached for the club in his bag, then stood over her and said, "Do not touch my new driver."
Both Clark and Miestowski are Good Good content creators. Callaway reposted the video before apologizing and admitting its internal review was not comprehensive enough.
Why did Callaway and the PGA Tour drop Good Good Golf?
Callaway announced on August 27 that it ended its relationship with Good Good, effective immediately. In a statement, the company said violence against women "should never be trivialized, normalized, or used as entertainment" and pledged $1 million to organizations that prevent domestic violence and support survivors.
Roughly two hours later, Good Good said it would no longer serve as title sponsor of the November PGA Tour stop in Austin. The tour confirmed the event would proceed Nov. 12–15 at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa and said it would announce a new sponsor later.
Retail fallout followed quickly. Dick's Sporting Goods and subsidiary Golf Galaxy began removing Good Good merchandise from shelves on Wednesday, according to ESPN. Golf Channel first postponed, then canceled the current season of "Big Break x Good" after sponsor Golf Galaxy requested its branding be removed.
How has Good Good Golf responded to the backlash?
Clark posted a nearly nine-minute apology video on August 26, calling the ad "the worst ad known to man" and saying he was cringing minutes after it went live. Co-founder Matt Kendrick criticized Callaway on X, accusing the equipment maker of approving the ad, then orchestrating a "coordinated media blitz" while Good Good takes the fall.
Good Good said its focus is now on its team, culture, and learning from the situation. Rolapp said at the Tour Championship that the brand's initial response was "defensive and late," though he noted later statements improved.
The episode shows how quickly sponsor relationships collapse when content crosses ethical lines — a dynamic we also track across Future Tech & AI Wonders as brands navigate viral marketing risk.
Why does this ad controversy matter beyond golf?
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, one in four U.S. women aged 18 and older has experienced physical violence from an intimate partner. USA Today columnist Nancy Armour noted that making light of such violence is not only harmful but bad business: women and girls now account for 28% of on-course golfers, the highest share ever, with female participation rising 45% from 2020 to 2025, per the National Golf Foundation.
Callaway said it is committed to learning from the incident and making golf a place where everyone feels respected and welcome. For Good Good Golf, the Callaway breakup and PGA Tour sponsorship loss mark a steep reputational setback with no quick fix.