Go Long or Go Home...Just Go...Please

[Flagstick Golf Magazine]

I get it, I really do. I realize that TaylorMade/Maxfli signed up John Daly as an endorsee for pure marketing value. Afterall, the two-time major champion currently has limited status on the PGA Tour yet is still one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. But I question the direction of their latest Maxfli golf ball advertisements utilizing Daly and his "man of the people" image. If you haven't seen the full-length version yet you can do so here (Go Long or Go Home in the RV section) or here.

 

The Golf Channel has aired the commercial while CBS has refused to do so citing a standards issue. The debate over the validity of the commercial has then set off a firestorm of conversation on many online golf forums and even in the press.

 

True, golf is primarily a recreational pastime for the average enthusiast and I know TaylorMade needs to recoup the cost of their investment but I am sure there are better ways to get this message across then to take a multi-divorced, admitted alcoholic and put him in an ad/video that glamorizes drinking, dangerous activity on the golf course and all sorts of other questionable situations.

 

I am not a prude by any means but a few things struck a chord with me regarding this campaign. First off, when Ely Callaway signed up John years ago to endorse his companies' equipment he did so to help Daly (one of the most well liked, soft-hearted, and charitable pro golfers you will find) deal with financial/personal issues including his alcoholism. TaylorMade appears to be ENCOURAGING an alcoholic to throw caution to the wind and fire back pitchers of beer at a time.

 

Secondly, any golf course owner will probably spit out their sandwich when they see Daly performing a semi-burn out on a golf cart, no doubt fueled by the bags of beers he appears to bring along to the course. What a great influential message for all the 16 year-olds out there who hope to one day win the British Open or PGA Championship just like Big John did. Who needs practice to make it as a pro, just grab a Maxfli ball, a bag of beer and do some donuts across the fairways!

 

And please John Daly, I beg you, stop trying to pretend you can sing!! Thankfully my mute button works...

 

Knowing a few key players at the TM/Maxfli Ball Division I am surprised by their willingness to commit to this campaign.

 

Yes, they are getting a lot of attention but what price will they pay for it?

 

www.flagstickeditorsdesk.blogspot.com

[mat562]

I agree completely.

 

Very questionable taste.

 

And I'm not a prude either. Far from it. But that advert is absolutely horrendous.

[Grimace45]

I have always been a fan of Daly, but lately it has been tough to watch him self destruct.......again. I wish he would spend less time trying to market himself and more time at the practice range working on his game. His antics in China were pretty embarssing to watch.

[Smooth spin scott]

He's gotta lose the golf themed songs... terrible commercial.

[DaveyH]

And no mention of his various charity work?

The money he donates to charities?

The various problems he has in his life.

Music takes peoples minds off various situations no matter how good or bad they are?

Very uncanny to degrade john daly.

[Smooth spin scott]

Definitely thumbs up to John for all his work for charities....

[sergizmo]

I agree completely with the article. Having a former ( :drinks: ) alcoholic bypassing bottles for full pitchers, hitting into people on the course (this is the worst, IMO), bumping and grinding with 21 year olds, and tearing around like a maniac in the cart are over the line.

 

It is almost like a charicature trying to make fun of JD, but it's done by himself.

 

You're a redneck. We get it.

[sergizmo]

Hey, JD needs to fund his 3+ divorces, and if companies are willing to pony up, a "good on yer" to all of 'em :drinks:

 

I think it's 5. And the last one went to jail.

 

Number 6 will be a Hooters girl or "dancer". Just wait a year.

[AcesAZ]

That commercial and the song are terrible. Taylormade is lucky that they can't show it. Flat out embarrassing if you ask me.

[Jer-Jer]

I understand everyones worries...but what is so bad about it? Beer and golf is all I see. There are FAR WORSE commercials than this on air. Is it b/c it gives golf the wrong image???

[DemolitionMan]

We reap what we sow.....it's that simple. JD is who he is and while many people embraced him as the big lug who can't help himself with a world of golf talent, there is no turning JD around. Nothing he does is surprising. It's just too bad TM chose to get in the exploitation line with seemingly no line drawn on ethics and it's too bad JD can't use the opportunities he is presented to really make a difference. Anyone can throw money at a charity, I'm not impressed.

 

Just another example of an athlete who should be ignored outside the ropes, or off the court, away from the field, whatever you want to call it. Most of these guys are horrific as role models, but they sure are entertaining. Which brings me back to my original point. We want to be entertained? That's fine, we reap what we sow.

[TRAV1]

Welcome to the NASCAR-ification of golf. Plenty of $$ in it. Everyone on this board talks about promoting the game and getting it out to more people, no more snobbish image, etc., etc. Who do you think those "more people" are? They are the ones who like a good old beer-drinking, sexy women line dancin' time.

[rgk5]

Not questionable taste, NO taste. Taylor Made had their heads up their Word not allowed on this one.

[smarshal75]

That commercial was pretty stupid, but also funny. It reminded me of a few bachelor parties I have attended. Anyway, Maxfli wasted its money, not once during the commercial did I know what was being sold.

[Baller]

In reading what the spot identifies JD doing, it woud appear that it is appealing to the largest part of the golfing market (outside of people like us). We care about equipment, properness of the rules, scoring well, practicing, dressing properly etc. But the largest part of the golf population shoots 100 and above and is going out and have what they call a good time. Drinking, racing the carts, flipping the carts, hitting into your group, playing out of turn, wearing gym shoes, or doing what they think is having good time. These people don't practice, they just go, hit their ball, and find it in the trees and hit again. Did you know that 80% of all golfers shoot above 100 and less that 5% can break 80 consistantly. This is the market segment Maxfi/Taylor Made is trying to appeal to in these spots. This is what Maxfli/Taylormade's opinion is of all golfers in this market segment, and they should be pi$$ed. Unfortunatlely, JD has let himself become their spokesmen.

 

Your anger should be with the OEM, and the disappointment should be aimed towards JD.

[Ty Webb]

The most offensive thing to me in that commercial was his voice!!!! Man does his singing SUCKKK... he needs to spend some of that endorsement money on f'n singing lessons!!! :drinks:

[laseranimal]

eh

 

I don't really see what all the fuss is about, I think Maxfli/TM is getting MORE juice out of the controversy then they ever would have out of the commercial itself, the thing was stupid to watch, went on WAY too long, and had a TERRIBLE soundtrack.....not to mention it didn't inform me about ANY product.

 

and I LIKE John Daly, but Maxfli needs a better ad agency cause that commercial SUCKED

[glcoach]

It's sad. He has become a caricature of himself, he'll be dead soon. Then Johnny Lee can sing that tribute song about his "Lion Heart" again.

 

For the record I am not hating on JD, I just think it's sad. He does a lot of work for charities, which is good. I think his mothers passing has sent him on a more downward spiral. Maybe he just can't wait to join her.

[divot46]

You mean people spent their time sitting around in a boardroom to come up with that. I don't know how much input JD had in this commercial, but the advertising dept ought to be canned for that one. I know I've seen worse commercials and heard worse singers than JD but that stunk.

[king1066]

"There's a certain logic to making edgy ads networks will refuse to carry, especially if you're trying to wake up a sleepy brand.

 

You get publicity from being banned.

 

That presumably drives viewers to your website to see what they have to be protected against. And you don't have to spend much."

 

"Now we can all go to maxfli.com to check out the video just like the marketing master plan intended." USA Today

 

These debates just add to the value of the ad, PERIOD.

 

Forget it and ignore it is the best way to end it.