High ball takes some clobbering (3)
I believe the answer is:
lob
'high ball' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'some clobbering' is the wordplay.
'some' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'LOB' is hidden within 'clobbering'.
'takes' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for lob that I've seen before include "Pollack" , "Tennis shot" , "Shot of Murray" , "Throw a slow, high ball" , "Lofted ball" .)