PHOTO PROVIDED Work on the path on which you take the club back.

Many golfers just hit the ball, not thinking about the ball’s flight. Professional golfers visualize the ball’s flight before executing the shot. They can work the ball left to right or right to left at will.

An amateur can also learn to shape their shots with a bit of practice; after all, that is the most enjoyable part of golf, visualizing the shot and then successfully executing it.

Controlling the trajectory has a lot to do with the takeaway; taking the club back on an inside arc will create a draw or hook. Taking the club back on an outside track will cause a fade or slice.

There is a magical arc that will create a straight ball flight. Experiment with how much you take the club back on the inside or outside path, and you will enjoy this great game called golf even more.

Rick Musselman, a golf author and professional, is the founder of Musselman’s Golf in Williamsport.