Alexis Miestowski has found herself at the center of one of the biggest controversies to hit the golf-content world this year after appearing in the now-deleted Good Good Golf advertisement that sparked widespread backlash.
The video, which promoted a co-branded Callaway driver, showed Good Good co-founder Garrett Clark rushing toward Miestowski and pushing her to the ground after she reached for the club. Clark then stood over her and warned her not to touch his driver.
The advertisement was removed shortly after being published, but not before clips spread across social media and triggered intense criticism.
Many viewers accused Good Good and Callaway of making light of violence against women, while others questioned how the advertisement had passed through the companies’ approval processes.
Miestowski, however, has remained largely out of the public discussion surrounding the controversy.
The former Indiana University golfer is part of Good Good’s women-focused content and has been involved in the company’s efforts to attract more women to golf. That made the reaction to the advertisement even more uncomfortable for many observers.
Clark has since apologized for his involvement, saying he regretted taking part in the advertisement and describing the finished product as something that made him “cringe.” He also condemned abusive messages directed toward Miestowski following the backlash.
According to Clark, the physical interaction seen in the advertisement was staged and was not an actual attack. He explained that the concept was intended as a parody of the horror movie Obsession, with his character portrayed as being irrationally obsessed with the golf club.
That explanation, however, did little to stop the criticism.
The fallout has continued to grow. Callaway eventually ended its partnership with Good Good, while major retailers pulled Good Good products from their stores. The Golf Channel also postponed its Big Break x Good Good program.
The PGA Tour has also taken the controversy seriously. CEO Brian Rolapp called the advertisement concerning and said Good Good’s initial response was disappointing and inconsistent with the Tour’s values.
The controversy has therefore become much bigger than a single 15-second advertisement.
For Miestowski, the situation has also highlighted the difficult position of being at the center of a controversy she did not create. While Good Good and Clark have taken responsibility for the campaign, attention has remained focused on the message the advertisement sent and its potential impact on women’s participation in golf.
Miestowski’s involvement in Good Good’s women’s content makes the episode particularly significant as the company attempts to rebuild trust and continue its stated mission of making golf more inclusive.
What began as an attempt to create a provocative golf advertisement has now resulted in lost partnerships, major corporate consequences and an uncomfortable conversation about how women are represented in golf marketing.
