Who is Garrett Clark? Meet the Good Good co-founder at the centre of a golf ad controversy
Intended as a parody of the film Obsession, the ad was accused of normalising violence against women – and led to Callaway severing ties with the YouTube channel
On August 21, a 56-second advertisement sent shockwaves through the golf world. Promoting the Callaway x Good Good Quantum Driver, the video showed Garrett Clark – co-founder of YouTube channel Good Good – shoving golfer and content creator Alexis Miestowski to the ground before warning her, “Do not touch my new driver.”
Callaway, one of the world’s largest makers of golf equipment, which approved the ad before it went live, quickly issued an apology. “That approval should never have happened,” Callaway CEO Chip Brewer wrote in a statement. By August 26, Callaway announced it was ending its partnership with Good Good Golf entirely – pledging US$1 million in donations to organisations fighting violence against women.
The commercial fallout spread rapidly. Dick’s Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy pulled Good Good merchandise from their shelves and digital platforms. Golf Channel first postponed and later cancelled the premiere of its Big Break x Good Good reality show reboot, while Good Good pulled its title sponsorship of an upcoming PGA Tour event in Austin, Texas. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp called the situation “fluid”, describing Good Good’s initial response as “disappointing, a bit defensive and late”.
Meanwhile, Clark issued a personal apology in an eight-and-a-half-minute video on August 26, calling the skit “super dumb” and admitting his “skin was crawling” and he was “cringing” the moment he saw it. He also urged viewers to stop sending hate to Miestowski, the woman creator featured in the controversial clip.
But who exactly is Garrett Clark – the man at the centre of the Good Good controversy?
What is Garrett Clark’s background?
Good Good was founded in 2020 by Garrett Clark, Matt Scharff and Stephen Castaneda. It became one of the world’s most popular sports channels on YouTube, credited with bringing golf to a younger, more diverse audience. As of Friday, Good Good has over 2 million subscribers, while Clark’s personal channel, GM Golf, has surpassed 1.4 million.