EXHIBIT 99.1

                                                           Contact: Larry Dorman
                                                                  Krista Mallory
                                                                    760-931-1771

              CHUCK YASH NAMED PRESIDENT OF CALLAWAY GOLF COMPANY


          CARLSBAD, CA., August 17, 1999 - The Board of Directors of Callaway
Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) today announced the appointment of Chuck Yash to the
post of President of Callaway Golf Company effective immediately. Mr. Yash, who
has been President and CEO of the wholly-owned subsidiary Callaway Golf Ball
Company since its inception in May of 1996, also was designated today to succeed
current CEO Ely Callaway as the new CEO of the parent Callaway Golf Company by
Dec. 31, 2000 or when Mr. Callaway ceases to be involved in active management of
the company  -- whichever comes earlier.

          "I am very pleased with the board's decision to appoint Chuck Yash as
president and to designate Mr. Yash as my eventual successor as CEO not later
than Dec. 31, 2000," said Mr. Callaway, 80. "Throughout his tenure at Callaway
Golf over the past 3 years, he has demonstrated tremendous leadership skills and
a broad understanding of our company and of the industry.

          "He was given the unprecedented task of starting a golf ball company
from scratch, of building a golf ball plant, assembling a team and developing a
product - all in parallel," Mr. Callaway continued. "He has done an excellent
job. I'm confident that Chuck Yash is the right choice to lead our company into
the new millennium."

          Mr. Yash, 50, will continue to head the Callaway Golf Ball Company,
which will introduce its product into the marketplace in January, 2000,
according to the company's original schedule. Mr. Yash came to Callaway Golf
from Taylor Made Golf, where he was president for four years, overseeing that
company's successful turnaround. Prior to that he spent 13 years at Spalding,
the last four as Vice President and General Manager of the golf division. A
graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Mr. Yash earned his
MBA at Harvard University following his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy.

          "This is a tremendous responsibility and opportunity," said Mr. Yash.
"I am thrilled that the board of directors and Mr. Callaway have demonstrated
such confidence in me. I look forward to the great opportunities that lie ahead
for Callaway Golf and for Callaway Golf Ball Company. These truly are exciting
times, and I am convinced that the team we have assembled to move forward is the
best team in the industry."

For more information about Callaway Golf Company, please visit our web sites on
the internet at www.callawaygolf.com.
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