Good Good and Callaway Golf keep taking bigger swings at each other. It’s not helping either brand
Brand controversies often have a shelf life similar to that of a dairy product—short-lived and quick to spoil. That is, unless the brand keeps adding to the mess. That is the case with golf brands Good Good and Callaway Golf Company, which have been at the center of a social media backlash this week following a controversial marketing video for their co-branded driver. But a week into the…
The golf brands Good Good and Callaway Golf Company are embroiled in a social media controversy that shows no signs of subsiding. The dispute began after a 60-second marketing video was released on August 21, featuring Good Good cofounder Garrett Clark shoving a woman to the ground and then apologizing to her, saying "Do not touch my driver." The video was widely criticized for depicting violence against women, leading both companies to pull the video from their social media feeds.
Both companies issued apologies within 24 hours of the video's release, but these apologies did little to quell the backlash from social media users. Some called for retailers to stop selling the brands' products, which resulted in several retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, and PGA Tour Superstore, removing Callaway products from their websites.
In response, Callaway stated that it had ended its relationship with Good Good "effective immediately" and pledged to donate $1 million to organizations combating violence against women.
Good Good's CEO, Matt Kendrick, attempted to regain control of the narrative on August 25, as tensions between the two brands escalated. Kendrick accused Callaway of asking Good Good to create the controversial video and then blaming the brand for its content when backlash emerged. In a 3:38 a.m. post on X, Kendrick said, "Interesting that @CallawayGolf asks us to make an ad then approves it then asks us to take the fall then drops us in a coordinated media blitz and covers it up by giving a million dollars away thinking everyone will be ok with it."
The controversy has taken an unexpected turn, with Good Good's CEO reigniting the debate at 2 a.m., potentially prolonging the situation.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
