World Long Drive
MARTIN BORGMEIER
Martin Borgmeier is the 2022 World Long Drive Champion. He first made the switch to JumboMax Grips in 2022, using the JMX UltraLite™ (XS) to win his first World Championship.
He recorded a 426-yard drive in the finals to defeat fellow Team JumboMax member Bryson DeChambeau.
WHY HE PLAYS JUMBOMAX
"The moment I switched to JumboMax, I instantly had a totally different awareness of my club face. The tackiness of the grip and the perfect size for me (XS) feels like I can apply more force to the handle and gain more control at the same time. This and the additional confidence it gave me, led to winning my first event after I put JumboMax in my bag. And this event was the World Long Drive Championship 2022."
World Long Drive
JUSTIN JAMES
Justin James is a professional long driver and the 2017 World Long Drive Champion. He entered golf full time in 2014 after spending several seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Organization.
Justin is also an avid fitness coach and golf instruction. His father, Gerry James, is a PGA Professional and a two-time Masters World Long Drive Champion.
World Long Drive
Phillis Meti
Phillis Meti is the reigning Women’s World Long Drive Champion and a five-time winner of the event (2006, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024). She was the youngest WLD Champion in the History of Long Drive (19 years and 3 months) and is the world record holder for a woman's longest drive (414 yards). She uses JumboMax Zen Lite Standard Oversize grips on her clubs.
WHY SHE PLAYS JUMBOMAX
“JumboMax Grips fill my hand perfectly and I have much more stability through the ball, which is something I have always struggled with. I’m super excited to be using these grips in competition to gain an edge!”
World Long Drive
BRYCE VERPLANK
Bryce Verplank is a two-time winner on the World Long Drive. He is the nephew of five-time PGA Tour winner Scott Verplank, who currently competes on the PGA Tour Champions.
Bryce’s athletic accomplishments include being a college pitcher at the University of Texas, where he was an academic scholar and was a part of the 2018 team that earned a trip to the College World Series.
Verplank currently uses JumboMax JMX Zen Lite (Medium) swing grips.
WHY HE PLAYS JUMBOMAX
“I originally switched to JumboMax in 2022 after having wrist surgery. Little did I know that this change would not only keep me healthy but make me a better ball striker and gain more speed. With the options JumboMax provides, I was able to find a grip that increased my ball speed by 3-5 mph on average. JumboMax has helped improve my golf game in every aspect possible and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them!”
World Long Drive
Wes Patterson
Wes Patterson is a two-time Long Drive World Champion, winning the 2018 Global Infinity Series and the 2024 Ultimate Long Drive Championship. His career longest drive is 467 yards! A former pro baseball player and Division I record-setter at UT Martin, he was the school’s first Freshman All-American and now holds Hall of Fame honors for career home runs (39) and RBIs (171). Wes turned pro in golf in 2015 and reached the Top 8 in his first World Long Drive Championship just two years later.
WHY HE PLAYS JUMBOMAX
“John Mazzanoble introduced me to JumboMax. I fought it for a year — then gave it a real test. Now I play the biggest, heaviest grip we make, and I’ll never switch.”
World Long Drive
MATT POWELL
Matt is a true testament to adaptability, with a diverse background spanning professional sports, elite military service, and competitive golf. His athletic career started in the Los Angeles Angels farm system as a pitcher right out of high school, a period during which he also pursued higher education. He quickly demonstrated his natural talent for catching, evolving into a valuable utility player.
After his time on the diamond, Matt dedicated 12 years to U.S. Army Special Operations, serving as a team leader and medic with elite units such as the 1st Special Forces Group and 19th Special Forces Group, and contributing to Civil Affairs missions across the Middle East and Southeast Asia (Pacific).
Upon transitioning from full-time military service, Matt channeled his focus into golf, where his 6'4" frame proved a significant advantage, allowing him to achieve ball speeds few can match. In his inaugural WLD season last year, he impressively secured a top 9 finish in his first event and went on to become the runner-up in the military division championship. Now, Matt applies his unique skill set to assist major manufacturers in developing durable equipment for the next generation of athletes, a role that leverages his deep understanding of performance and resilience. He continues to serve with the 19th Special Forces Group and resides in Chandler, Arizona with his wife, son, and their two golden retrievers.
WHY HE PLAYS JUMBOMAX
“JumboMax grips allow me to hold the club with less tension, promoting a more fluid and connected swing. This reduced strain not only helps to manage my knee injuries by minimizing jarring forces, but also allows my body and arms to synchronize better throughout the swing, translating into increased clubhead and ball speed.”
