Callaway called TaylorMade balls “mud balls” in an ad, leading TaylorMade to demand injunction and damages.
Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy and world number one Scottie Scheffler are among the most renowned golfers worldwide who use TaylorMade golf balls. Callaway referred to a TaylorMade ball as a “mud ball” in an advertisement, a term used when a golf ball is covered with mud after hitting wet, soft ground or rough, which negatively impacts aerodynamics and often causes unpredictable flight paths.
TaylorMade Files Lawsuit Against Callaway
TaylorMade has sued competitor Callaway over allegedly false claims about the composition of their golf balls in a commercial. Callaway claimed TaylorMade balls underperform compared to their own. The lawsuit states that the construction of TaylorMade balls negatively affects flight like troublesome mud balls. “Callaway, its agents, and representatives conducted misleading UV light demonstrations derogating TaylorMade balls, including calling them ‘mud balls’ and falsely claiming uneven coating and poor quality control leading to poor performance,” says the 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 centers on a Callaway ad where, according to TaylorMade, a salesperson advises a customer to test balls with UV light to examine coating quality. The salesperson shines UV light on a TaylorMade TP5 ball, eliciting surprise from an assistant who notices a darker spot. Callaway’s rep allegedly suggests this indicates an inferior ball, saying, “Wow. Interesting, because to me it looks like a huge clump of mud… right over the TaylorMade logo.”
TaylorMade stresses that “mud ball” is one of the most derogatory terms for a golf ball and claims Callaway continues its misinformation campaign, citing multiple—but unspecified—instances beyond the video. The company seeks a court order to stop the defamatory ads and demands damages to be determined by a jury.
Comparative Advertising in the USA
Comparative advertising is common and allowed in the U.S., requiring claims to be truthful, verifiable, and not misleading. Direct attacks naming competitors or comparing features are standard marketing tactics to draw attention. Compared to other regions like the European Union, U.S. ads are often more aggressive and direct, including naming other brands explicitly. However, disparaging or false statements remain prohibited.