Crossword Genius

Hit wood on Birkdale's first (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bash

'hit' is the definition.
(bash can mean to hit)

'wood on birkdale's first' is the wordplay.
'wood' becomes 'ash' (wood from an ash tree).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'birkdale's first' becomes 'b' (ast letter of 'birkdale').
'ash' after 'b' is 'BASH'.

(Other definitions for bash that I've seen before include "Try - rave-up" , "Party (colloq.)" , "Smite; a party" , "Hit hard; party (slang)" , "Batter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Times.
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