Dick’s Sporting Goods and its golf specialty chain Golf Galaxy have removed Good Good Golf merchandise from stores and websites following widespread criticism of a promotional video that depicted a man shoving a woman to the ground.
The satirical video, posted last Friday to promote a co-branded Callaway driver, showed Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark charging at fellow creator Alexis Miestowski as she reached for the club. He shoved her down, stood over her, and said, “Do not touch my new driver.”
Critics said the clip normalized violence against women.
Good Good deleted the ad the same day, but copies continued circulating on social media.
Good Good issued an apology Saturday, stating that the video “depicted actions that are not aligned with our values as a brand” and that the company has “always stood for making the game of golf more inclusive to all.”
CEO Matt Kendrick later said the concept was meant as a parody of the film Obsession but “the execution missed the mark.”
Clark posted a lengthy personal apology Wednesday night, calling the ad “the worst ad known to man” and stating he does not support domestic violence or abuse. Callaway also apologized and said it had approved the video before release.
The commercial fallout arrived quickly. Golf Channel postponed the Tuesday premiere of its reality series Big Break x Good Good until Sept. 1 after a sponsor — widely reported to be Golf Galaxy, the show’s presenting sponsor — asked to have its branding removed.
Front Office Sports, Sports Business Journal, and other outlets then reported that Good Good products had vanished from Dick’s and Golf Galaxy websites. Store employees told reporters they received instructions to pull items from shelves immediately.
Several PGA Tour Superstore locations also removed the merchandise. Dick’s has not issued a public statement.
Good Good, a popular YouTube golf brand that has expanded rapidly into apparel and equipment retail, is also the title sponsor of a new PGA Tour FedEx Cup Fall event scheduled for November in Austin, Texas. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp described the ad as “not aligned with PGA Tour values” and called the company’s initial response “disappointing,” “defensive and late.” He said the Tour would continue to monitor the situation.
The episode highlights the speed with which a poorly received piece of content can affect retail partnerships, broadcast deals, and a brand’s standing in a sport that has worked to broaden its audience. Whether the merchandise returns to shelves and how the PGA Tour partnership proceeds remain unresolved.
