The CJ Performance Studio
Located in Buford, Georgia, just north of Atlanta, the Conner James Performance Studio is a one-of-a-kind short-game environment built with the same craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines Conner James Golf.
About The Conner James Performance Studio
What began as a backyard project has transformed into a purpose-built, 1,000+ square-foot synthetic turf training facility, carved directly into Conner’s land. Every contour was designed with intention, not flat but shaped with true undulations, breaks, tiers, and slopes that replicate the feel of being out on the course.
The space blends tour-level functionality with a natural, immersive backyard environment, offering players:
• A full-scale putting green with multiple cup locations
• A dedicated chipping zone with realistic launch and roll characteristics
• Contours engineered to challenge touch, speed control, and creativity
• Year-round, weather-proof performance thanks to premium synthetic materials
This isn’t a simulator room. It isn’t a typical mat-and-net setup.
It’s a short-game lab created to refine the scoring areas of golf in the most authentic way possible.
The Conner James Performance Studio reflects the same philosophy behind CJ Golf products:
details matter, feel matters, and improvement comes from building confidence one rep at a time.
GET TO KNOW CONNER
JUNIOR GOLF:
Conner James Conkel grew up in Buford, Georgia, where golf became the foundation of his competitive drive from an early age. As a junior, he competed across the nation starting in Atlanta Junior Golf, Hurricane Junior Golf, Southeast Junior Golf Tour, and the American Junior Golf Association. He earned multiple top finishes and several wins, learning how to compete, how to handle pressure, and how to build a scoring mindset.
Those early successes and the lessons that came with them sparked his belief that he could play at the next level. That motivation carried him to Greater Atlanta Christian School, where he finished state runner-up twice before finally breaking through and winning a state championship. The victory cemented his belief in persistence and set the stage for the next chapter.
COLLEGE GOLF:
His performance earned him a Division I scholarship to USC Upstate, where he posted strong finishes but realized something important: the professional tour life wasn’t where his passion truly lived. Instead, he felt drawn toward creating, designing, and building toward starting something of his own. He transferred to Trevecca University, a top Division II program in Nashville, where he could compete at a high level while laying the early foundation for CJ Golf.
At Trevecca, Conner helped lead the team to two conference championships and a top-five finish at the NCAA National Championship, the best season in program history.
PRESENT:
After graduating, he married his wife Lexie, who also played college golf and even won an event herself at Cog Hill! Together, they built a life rooted in faith, competition, creativity, and shared passion for the game. During this time, Conner began to pour himself into designing putters, divot tools, markers, and premium metal accessories shaping the identity of the Conner James Golf brand. For CJ Golf every detail matters. Whether it’s a small ball marker or a highly complex milled putter, craftsmanship leads the way.
Now, with life settling and their son Levi joining the story, Conner is stepping into the next chapter with the launch of the Conner James Performance Center a space dedicated to elite training, modern design, and a holistic short game first approach to player development.
CJ Golf began on the course.
The Performance Center is where its future will be built.
