Two senior leaders at Good Good Golf have stepped down after the company faced a wave of criticism for a promotional video that depicted a woman being forcibly pushed to the ground. The departures include the chief executive officer, Matt Kendrick, and the president, Joe Flannery, who both exited their positions as the backlash continued to mount following the video's release last month. The clip was originally posted to showcase a new Callaway driver, but it was swiftly removed after viewers condemned its portrayal of violence against women. The video, produced by the popular golf content creators, sparked an outcry across social media platforms.
Critics argued that the scene glorified aggression toward women, prompting Good Good Golf to issue a public apology via its social‑media channels. Callaway Golf, the brand featured in the advertisement, also acknowledged that "mistakes were made" in how the incident was handled, further highlighting the seriousness of the situation. In the wake of the controversy, an internal memorandum from Alex Puchala, the company's head of finance and operations, was obtained by Business Insider.
The memo confirmed that Nahid Giga—a board member, early investor, and co‑founder of Good Good Golf—has been appointed as interim chief executive officer. Puchala’s statement emphasized the challenging nature of the moment for the entire Good Good family, noting, "Matt Kendrick helped build something extraordinary 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 continued, "To ensure stability through this transition, Nahid Giga, Good Good co‑founder and one of our first investors, will step in as interim CEO, effective immediately.
Garrett Clark and the creator team will keep doing what they do best, making great content and engaging our fans who are eager to see and hear from us. I will remain COO and CFO and will continue to oversee day‑to‑day operations.
We're encouraged by the continued support of the Good Good community, and we remain focused on moving forward and building the next chapter of the company." Good Good Golf was founded as a YouTube channel in 2020 and has since grown into one of the sport's most prominent content networks. The channel features a rotating cast of eight men and four women who compete in traditional golf rounds, inventive challenges, and collaborative events.
Over the years, the brand has expanded beyond digital video into television‑style programming, apparel lines, and a range of branded merchandise sold through major retailers. According to the company, the contentious advertisement was intended as a parody of the horror film "Obsession." However, the public reaction was overwhelmingly negative, and the video was taken down on the same day it was posted, August 20. The swift removal did little to quell the criticism, and the incident quickly became a focal point in discussions about gender representation and the responsibilities of influencers in the sports media space.
The fallout extended beyond Good Good Golf's internal leadership changes. PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp expressed disappointment with the company's response, stating, "We were disappointed with what we saw. The PGA Tour believes in golf's ability to bring people together and create a welcoming environment for all." The PGA Tour's comments underscored the broader industry concern that such content could alienate fans and undermine efforts to make the sport more inclusive.
Garrett Clark, a co‑founder of Good Good Golf and the individual who physically pushed the woman in the video, later posted an eight‑minute video in which he described the commercial as "the worst ad known to man" and insisted that it did not reflect the values of the brand. Clark's admission was an attempt to distance the organization from the misguided creative decision and to reassure the audience that the incident was an isolated lapse in judgment.
The repercussions also affected corporate partnerships. 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 light of the controversy, the company withdrew its sponsorship, and Callaway Golf terminated its relationship with the content creator network. Additionally, major retailers such as Golf Galaxy and its parent company, Dick's Sporting Goods, pulled Good Good Golf merchandise from their shelves, further illustrating the commercial impact of the backlash. As Good Good Golf navigates this turbulent period, the interim leadership under Nahid Giga faces the task of restoring trust with fans, sponsors, and the broader golf community. The company must balance its innovative, youth‑focused content strategy with a heightened awareness of social responsibility and cultural sensitivity.
Moving forward, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how Good Good Golf rebuilds its brand reputation, re‑engages its audience, and ensures that future marketing efforts align with the inclusive values that the sport strives to uphold.