--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was clearly great charm and worth…" description: "\"There was clearly great charm and worth in a sport so quaintly perverse in its basic instructions. Hit down to make the ball rise. Swing easy to make i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e50/john-updike-396_balls_there-was-clearly-great-charm-and-worth_2092693.png" --- # There was clearly great charm and worth in a sport so… ![“There was clearly great charm and worth in a sport so quaintly perverse in its basic instructions. Hit down to make the ball rise. Swing easy to make it go far. Finish high to make it go straight.” quote by John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e50/john-updike-396_balls_there-was-clearly-great-charm-and-worth_2092693.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e50/john-updike-396_balls_there-was-clearly-great-charm-and-worth_2092693.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e50/john-updike-396_balls_there-was-clearly-great-charm-and-worth_2092693.png) > “There was clearly great charm and worth in a sport so quaintly perverse in its basic instructions. Hit down to make the ball rise. Swing easy to make it go far. Finish high to make it go straight.” [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote celebrates the paradoxical allure of a sport whose simple rules hide deep complexity, highlighting how simplicity can be both charming and subversive. **In simple terms:** Simple sport rules can be oddly captivating. Key Takeaway Embrace the charm in simple, quirky challenges. Themes sport paradox charm complexity simplicity Mood playful reflective Type observational inspirational When to use this quote - Playing a new game - teaching basics - designing rules - appreciating simplicity Key Concepts Game theory aesthetic appreciation contradiction Questions to Reflect On - What simple rules bring you unexpected joy? - How does paradox enhance interest? A Different Perspective The sport may become boring if over‑analyzed, reducing its charm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charm/) [Golf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golf/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) ## Related quotes > [Swing easy and hit hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-boros/swing-easy-and-hit-hard/) [Julius Boros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-boros/) > [I don't chase distance at all. I actually try not to hit it out of my shoes. Usually that leads to injuries for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-korda/i-don-t-chase-distance-at-all-i-actually-try-not-to-hit-it-out-of-my/) [Nelly Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelly-korda/) > [What other sport holds out hope of improvement to a man or a woman over fifty? 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