Callaway labeled TaylorMade balls as ‘mud balls’ in an ad, prompting TaylorMade to seek injunction and damages.
Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler are among the best-known golfers worldwide who use TaylorMade balls. Callaway called a TaylorMade ball a ‘mud ball’ in a commercial, which has now escalated into a lawsuit by the rival manufacturer. ‘Mud balls’ describe golf balls covered in mud after hitting soft or wet ground, affecting aerodynamics and causing erratic flight paths.
TaylorMade Files Lawsuit Against Callaway
TaylorMade has sued competitor Callaway over allegedly false claims about ball construction in the commercial. Callaway asserted that TaylorMade balls were inferior, claiming their design negatively impacted flight like a mud ball. The lawsuit states Callaway and its agents used misleading UV light demonstrations degrading TaylorMade balls by calling them ‘mud balls’ and falsely alleging uneven coating and poor quality control resulting in poor performance. Filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California, San Diego division, the suit demands cessation and damages.
Allegation of Misleading UV Demonstration
The lawsuit centers on a Callaway ad wherein a salesperson suggests testing balls under UV light to assess coating and performance. According to the complaint, the TaylorMade TP5 ball darkens under UV, which a subordinate admires. The Callaway rep implies this signals inferior quality, stating, ‘Wow. Interesting, because to me, it looks like a big lump of mud… right over the TaylorMade logo.’
TaylorMade stresses that ‘mud ball’ is one of the harshest derogatory terms for a golf ball. The company claims Callaway continues this disinformation campaign with many instances beyond the cited video, although specific examples are not listed. TaylorMade seeks a court order to halt the alleged ongoing defamation and compensation yet to be determined.
Comparative Advertising in the USA
Comparative advertising is common and permitted in the USA, requiring truthful, substantiated, and non-misleading statements. Directly naming competitors and comparing features is a frequent marketing tactic to draw attention. Compared to regions like the EU, US adverts are typically more direct and aggressive with competitor mentions. Nonetheless, defamatory or false claims remain prohibited under US law.