PGA Tour Considers Dropping Good Good Over Controversial Ad

The PGA Tour is facing mounting pressure to sever ties with content creators Good Good following a controversial advertisement showing a woman being pushed to the ground.

The incident, which drew significant backlash, features Garrett Clark, a Good Good star, shoving Alexis Miestowski to the ground in a video promoting a new golf driver. The ad was widely condemned for its depiction of violence against women.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described Good Good's apology as "disappointing," "a bit defensive and late," indicating uncertainty about the future of the Good Good Championship scheduled for November in Austin, Texas.

"We've had some conversations with them [Good Good], so we'll continue to monitor and see how it develops," Rolapp said. "It is a fluid situation."

Later developments suggested growing isolation of Good Good, with the Golf Channel postponing the airing of a series tied to the brand after a sponsor requested removal of its branding.

Retailers Golf Galaxy and Dick's Sporting Goods removed Good Good products from their online stores amid the controversy.

Callaway Golf's CEO, Chip Brewer, acknowledged the company's approval of the ad was a mistake and expressed regret. "The approval never should have happened. Mistakes were made, and we are taking the matter very seriously," Brewer said.

"As we deal with the consequences of our mistake and complete our investigations, I want to make it clear that we sincerely apologise for the video," Brewer added.

Good Good, a digital brand with over four million followers, has been influential in attracting younger audiences to golf, but the video has raised serious concerns.

In the controversial video, Garrett Clark pushes Alexis Miestowski to the ground after she reaches for his golf driver, followed by a threatening remark, "Do not touch my new driver." The scene was accompanied by ominous music and has been criticized for normalizing domestic violence.

Jamie Klingler, co-founder of women’s rights group Reclaim These Streets, urged the PGA Tour to end its association with Good Good.

"The PGA should cut ties with Good Good," Klingler said. "According to the World Health Organisation, one in three women will experience physical and/or sexual violence at the hands of a partner in their lifetimes and here is Good Good endorsing domestic violence with a younger audience segment."

Good Good and Callaway had planned a new Tour event, the Good Good Championship, to debut in November as part of the FedExCup Fall schedule at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin.

The controversy has cast doubt on the event's future and the partnership between the PGA Tour, Good Good, and Callaway.