The Bottom Line
Merit's Tour Trajectory driver, with its vertical grooves and higher center of gravity, sets up well for better players but might not be a good match for higher handicappers.
Pros
- Vertical grooves reduce backspin.
- Produces more penetrating ball flight.
- Good fit for lower handicappers.
Cons
- Not so good a fit for higher handicappers.
- Poor trajectory for weaker players.
Description
- Clubface features vertical grooves rather than horizontal grooves.
- Clubhead is 4.5 inches long, longer by 1 to 1.5 inches than most other drivers on the market.
- Length of clubhead gives the appearance of a low profile, but weighting produces high COG.
- That weighting is achieved with a perimeter ring that runs around back of clubhead.
- Thin face to increase transfer of energy, but is within USGA's C.O.R. limits.
- Comes in 345cc, 335cc and 315cc models.
- Shafts offered include True Temper EI 70, Grafalloy Prolite, Aldila HM40, UST Proforce 55, 65, 75.
- Lofts offered at 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5, but weighting makes it play 1 to 1.5 degrees stronger.
Guide Review - Merit Golf Tour Trajectory Driver
The Merit Tour Trajectory was the first club to feature vertical - rather than horizonal - grooves in the clubface. The effect, the company says, is to reduce backspin. Backspin creates lift and drag, so reducing it reduces lift and drag. The perimeter weight ring raises the club's center of gravity, and the higher the C.O.G., the lower the ball flight. So it's clear that this driver is intended for those seeking a lower, more boring ball flight with increased roll. That's great for many lower-handicappers, but most weekend warriors need all the help they can get getting the ball up, not keeping it down. This is an innovative design, but is probably best left to the more accomplished drivers.
