Hunter Mahan’s Take on Controversial Good Good and Callaway Ad

Hunter Mahan, a six-time PGA Tour champion, recently shared his thoughts on the controversial advertisement created by Good Good in partnership with Callaway. Many in the golf community, including Mahan, seem to agree that while the ad was foolish, the resulting backlash may have been excessive.

“Their impact on the game is huge, and with that visibility comes responsibility,” Mahan remarked, discussing the fallout from the ad. He believes that the creators likely realized the weight of their actions too late.

Good Good, known for its popular YouTube channel and innovative golf products, collaborated with Callaway in late August to introduce a new driver. However, the promotional video featured co-founder Garrett Clark pushing a female member of the team to the ground, drawing significant criticism.

After removing the ad and issuing several apologies, Callaway severed ties with Good Good, which also led to the brand distancing itself from the PGA Tour ahead of a scheduled event in November. Additionally, Good Good’s apparel has been pulled from various retail outlets as a result.

“Even though the ad was silly and frankly bad, the drastic measures taken against them seem a bit over the top,” Mahan explained. “They probably underestimated the audience and the scrutiny that comes with such a large platform.” He noted that entering a more public arena often shifts the dynamics and consequences for creators.

“With big partners like Callaway and the PGA Tour involved, they need to be more cautious. It seems they might not have fully grasped that they had moved beyond their original community into something much larger,” he continued. “It’s unfortunate, maybe even too harsh, but this is the reality we face in today’s world.”

Callaway’s CEO, Chip Brewer, admitted that the review process for the ad was insufficient and expressed regret regarding the oversight. A subsequent statement acknowledged that the ad had been approved prior to its release.

In light of the situation, Callaway also pledged $1 million to organizations aimed at preventing violence against women and aiding survivors, alongside efforts to raise awareness.

Shortly after the partnership ended, Good Good pulled its sponsorship of the upcoming PGA Tour event, with the now-sponsorless tournament referred to as the Austin Championship on the PGA Tour’s official site.