Like a novice on the golf course (5)
I believe the answer is:
green
'golf course' is the definition.
(I know that green is a type of golf course)
'like a novice on' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'on' could be 're' ('on' can be mean 'with reference to') and 're' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'gen' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for green that I've seen before include "Environmentally concerned" , "Like lettuce" , "conservationist" , "Politician; fresh" , "Money" .)