Crossword Genius

By which ploughmen steer a straight course? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tillers

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'by which ploughmen steer a straight' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'course?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'course?' could be 's' and 's' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'tiller' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tillers that I've seen before include "gardeners" , "Steering bars" , "Levers to turn rudders" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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