Two high‑ranking officials at Good Good Golf have stepped down after the company faced a storm of criticism surrounding a promotional video that depicted a woman being forced to the ground. The departures include the chief executive officer, Matt Kendrick, and the president, Joe Flannery, both of whom left their positions as the fallout from the ad continued to intensify. The video in question was released last month as part of a marketing push for a new Callaway driver. It quickly attracted widespread condemnation because many viewers interpreted the scene as an example of violence against women.
The clip was removed from the internet the same day it was posted on August 20, but the damage to the brand’s reputation had already been done. Good Good Golf issued an apology via its social‑media channels, and Callaway Golf publicly acknowledged that "mistakes were made" in the way the incident was handled.
According to an internal memorandum circulated by Alex Puchala, the company’s chief operating officer and chief financial officer, the board acted swiftly to stabilize the organization. The memo, which was shared with Business Insider, confirmed that Nahid Giga—a co‑founder of Good Good Golf and an early investor—has been appointed interim chief executive officer effective immediately. Puchala’s statement emphasized the difficulty of the moment for the entire Good Good family, noting that Kendrick had been instrumental in building a platform that "exceeded all expectations and continues to bring countless new fans to the sport.
What began as a small group of friends playing golf is now a growing global community." Puchala went on to assure stakeholders that the core content team, led by Garrett Clark and the group of creators, would remain focused on producing engaging material for their audience. He reiterated his own role overseeing daily operations and expressed confidence in the continued support of the Good Good community as the company works toward its next chapter. Good Good Golf originated as a YouTube channel in 2020 and has since evolved into one of the most prominent content creators in the golf world. The channel features a roster of eight men and four women who compete in traditional rounds, trick‑shot challenges, and a variety of off‑course activities.
Over time, the brand expanded beyond digital media into television‑style shows, apparel lines, and other merchandise, establishing a multi‑platform presence that resonates with a younger, more diverse golf audience. When the controversial advertisement was released, the producers claimed it was intended as a parody of the horror film "Obsession." Nonetheless, the visual of a woman being shoved to the ground struck a nerve with viewers, prompting an outpouring of backlash on social media and within the broader golf community. The video was taken down within hours, but the incident sparked a broader conversation about gender representation and the responsibilities of influencers in sports marketing.
PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp voiced his disappointment, stating that the Tour believes golf should be an inclusive sport that brings people together. "We were disappointed with what we saw," Rolapp said, emphasizing the Tour’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for all participants and fans.
Garrett Clark, one of Good Good Golf’s founders and the individual who appears to push the woman in the video, later posted an eight‑minute response video. In it, he described the commercial as "the worst ad known to man" and clarified that it did not reflect the company’s values.
Clark’s candid admission was an attempt to distance the brand from the negative perception and to reassure the audience that the incident was an aberration rather than a deliberate statement. The repercussions extended beyond personnel changes. Good Good Golf had been slated to serve as the title sponsor for a new PGA Tour event scheduled to take place in Austin in November.
In the wake of the controversy, the company withdrew its sponsorship, and Callaway Golf terminated its partnership with Good Good Golf altogether. Retail partners, including Golf Galaxy and its parent company Dick’s Sporting Goods, also removed Good Good Golf merchandise from their stores, further illustrating the commercial fallout.
The episode underscores the delicate balance that modern sports media companies must maintain between creative expression and social responsibility. As digital platforms give creators unprecedented reach, the potential for missteps grows, especially when content touches on sensitive societal issues. For Good Good Golf, the challenge now lies in rebuilding trust with its audience, re‑establishing relationships with corporate partners, and ensuring that future productions align with the inclusive ethos that the sport of golf strives to promote. Looking ahead, the interim leadership under Nahid Giga will need to navigate both internal morale and external perception.
The company’s sizable fan base, which has been cultivated through a blend of humor, authenticity, and a fresh take on golf culture, offers a foundation for recovery. By reaffirming its commitment to respectful storytelling and by involving diverse voices in the creative process, Good Good Golf may yet turn this crisis into an opportunity for growth and renewed relevance in the evolving landscape of sports entertainment.