Wcpo iconWcpoAug 27, 2026 ~4 min source read

Callaway severs relationship with Good Good after ad showing co-founder shoving teammate sparks backlash

Callaway ended a partnership and pledged $1 million to organizations supporting survivors after a co-branded ad showing a male co-founder pushing a female team member drew widespread criticism and retailer pullbacks.

Callaway breaks with golf media company Good Good after blowback to controversial ad

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Callaway cut ties with Good Good after approving and reposting an ad that showed a male co-founder shoulder-checking a female colleague to the ground.

Callaway acknowledged failures in its content review, apologized, and pledged $1 million to organizations that address violence against women and survivor resources.

Good Good pulled the video and its co-founder apologized, but retailers and partners have reacted by removing merchandise and reconsidering events linked to the company.

# What happened

A promotional video co-branded between Callaway and the online golf media company Good Good showed Garrett Clark, a Good Good co-founder, shoulder-checking Alexis Miestowski to the ground as she reached for a Good Good x Callaway driver. The ad was posted, quickly drew intense backlash, and was removed.

# Callaway's response

# Good Good's reaction and apologies

Good Good pulled the ad and Garrett Clark posted an apology video in which he apologized for his role and said the ad concept was "super dumb" and "terrible." Clark explained the concept was meant to parody obsession with equipment, likening it to a recent movie, but said the reception and criticism were justified. He also condemned the harassment and death threats the woman in the ad received in direct messages.

# Business fallout

# What companies said about review and corrective steps

Callaway admitted its approval process wasn't comprehensive enough and said it has taken internal corrective action to prevent recurrence. The company expressed a sincere apology to those hurt or offended by the incident. Good Good issued apologies and the co-founder who appeared in the ad sought to explain the intent while acknowledging the concept was a poor choice.

# Why the ad drew such a strong reaction

The ad showed a violent act against a woman in a context framed as promotional entertainment. People who contacted Callaway shared personal stories tied to violence against women, which the company cited in explaining why the response to the video was so powerful. The clip's imagery and apparent trivialization of violence prompted swift public criticism and commercial consequences.

# Near-term implications

Callaway's severing of the partnership and the retailer pullbacks create immediate revenue and reputational pressure for Good Good. The status of the Good Good Championship and other collaborations is uncertain. The episode has prompted renewed attention to how brands vet third-party or co-branded content and the risks of partnering with creators whose tone and approach may not match a legacy brand's standards.

# Bottom line

A co-branded ad showing a co-founder shoving a female colleague led Callaway to end its partnership with Good Good, apologize publicly, and commit $1 million to organizations addressing violence against women. Good Good removed the video and its co-founder apologized, but retailers and the PGA Tour response have placed the company's commercial relationships and an upcoming event in jeopardy.

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