Golf giant Callaway walks away from Good Good after backlash over shoving ad, then pledges US$1m to women’s welfare NGOs

Golf equipment giant Callaway has distanced itself from media company Good Good following backlash over an advertisement featuring a male golfer shoving a woman to the ground. The commercial, released online last week before being taken down, sparked widespread outrage due to its depiction of violence against women. The video showed Callaway co-founder Garrett Clark, of golf media firm Good Good, knocking professional golfer Alexis Miestowski to the ground while warning her not to touch his driver.

Callaway announced on Thursday that it had "ended its relationship with Good Good, effective immediately," expressing deep reflection on the hurt caused by the video. The statement added that violence against women is unacceptable and should never be trivialized or used as entertainment. Callaway committed US$1 million to support organizations working to prevent violence against women.

Good Good Golf, which promotes a YouTube channel targeting a younger audience to the sport, had already apologized for the controversial ad. The company will continue as the title sponsor for the PGA Tour's inaugural Good Good Championship in Austin, Texas, in November. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp expressed dismay over the ad and criticized Good Good's initial handling of the controversy as "disappointing."