Callaway apologizes after ad showing woman shoved during driver promotion
Golf equipment maker Callaway issued a formal apology after a co-branded advertisement depicted a male co-founder pushing a female employee to the ground, prompting criticism and statements from the company, the partner brand and the PGA Tour.
Golf equipment manufacturer Callaway said it will revise its approval processes after a co-branded video showed Good Good Golf co-founder Garrett Clark pushing professional golfer and content creator Alexis Miestowski to the ground while shouting, “Do not touch my new driver.” The video, posted to promote a joint driver, was removed following public backlash.
Callaway CEO Chip Brewer issued a statement saying the company approved the video in error and that “mistakes were made.” He added that Callaway is “unequivocally against discrimination, domestic violence or threatening behaviour of any kind” and pledged to ensure similar content does not appear again.
Good Good Golf, which has expanded from a YouTube channel into a media company, also released an apology, stating the video “depicted actions that are not aligned with our values” and that the brand remains committed to inclusivity in golf.
A PGA Tour spokesperson said the organization does not condone violence and that the deleted video does not reflect the Tour’s commitment to a welcoming environment for all players and fans.