Callaway calls TaylorMade balls ‘mud balls’ in ad; TaylorMade files suit seeking injunction and damages.
Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler are among the most famous golfers whose golf ball choice falls on TaylorMade. Callaway used the term ‘mud ball’ in an advertisement to describe a TaylorMade ball, escalating into a lawsuit by the affected competitor. ‘Mud balls’ refer to golf balls covered with mud after a shot from wet, soft ground or rough, which significantly impairs aerodynamics and often causes unpredictable flight paths and curves.
TaylorMade Files Lawsuit Against Callaway
TaylorMade has sued its competitor Callaway for allegedly false claims about the composition of golf balls in a commercial. The advertisement claims that TaylorMade balls are inferior to Callaway’s own. According to the lawsuit, Callaway asserts that the construction of TaylorMade balls negatively affects flight similarly to annoying mud balls. ‘Callaway and its agents and representatives carried out misleading UV light demonstrations degrading TaylorMade golf balls, including calling them ‘mud balls’ and falsely claiming the balls have uneven paint/coating and poor quality control leading to poor performance,’ states TaylorMade’s lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, San Diego Division.
Allegation of Misleading UV Demonstration
The lawsuit refers to a Callaway ad in which a salesperson suggests testing golf balls with UV light to assess paint type and its impact on overall performance. The suit states, ‘He then shines UV light on the TaylorMade TP5 ball, prompting admiration from his subordinate noticing a darker spot.’ According to TaylorMade, the Callaway salesperson implies the spot indicates an inferior ball, saying, ‘Wow. Interesting, because to me it looks like a big clump of mud… right over the TaylorMade logo.’
TaylorMade emphasizes that ‘mud ball’ is among the most disparaging terms for a golf ball. The company claims Callaway continues this disinformation campaign with many further instances, though the lawsuit cites no other examples besides the video. TaylorMade now seeks a court injunction to stop the alleged ongoing defamation and demands damages to be determined.
Comparative Advertising in the USA
In the United States, comparative advertising is legal and widespread, requiring claims to be truthful, verifiable, and non-misleading. Direct attacks on competitors, including naming brands or comparing specific features, are common marketing tactics to attract attention. Compared to other regions like the EU, U.S. advertising is notably more aggressive and direct, often mentioning other manufacturers by name. However, disparaging or false claims remain prohibited under U.S. law.