SM Diversity

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

The recent Callaway Golf / Good Good controversy is an important case study for brands and leaders to examine.

According to National Golf Foundation data cited by CBS News, women now represent about 28% of U.S. golfers — an all-time high.

Yet an ad depicting a male golfer knocking a woman down still made it through concept, production, review, approval and publication.

That should raise a broader leadership question:

Who is at the table when decisions are made — and whose perspective may be missing?

Inclusion is not only about representation in marketing. It is about having the right voices, perspectives and leadership in the room before decisions become public.

The lack of inclusion can create real consequences for brand trust, reputation, customer loyalty and partnerships.

At the same time, moments like this can create an opportunity for accountability, learning and stronger decision-making.

Organizations should examine not only what went wrong, but also how the decision-making process allowed it to happen.

That is where leadership, inclusion, psychological safety and accountability intersect.

CBS News:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/callaway-golf-good-good-ad-apology/

The ad for a new driver had sparked an online backlash, with viewers criticizing the spot for trivializing violence against women.

08/25/2026