Notice golfer finally, short distance off course (6)
I believe the answer is:
adrift
'off course' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'notice golfer finally short distance' is the wordplay.
'notice' becomes 'ad'.
'finally' indicates one should take the final letters.
'short distance' becomes 'ift' (resembles 1 ft, 1 foot).
The last letter of 'golfer' is 'r'.
'ad'+'r'+'ift'='ADRIFT'
(Other definitions for adrift that I've seen before include "Afloat without steerage" , "Purposeless" , "(Of ship) out of control" , "without purpose or direction" , "Floating freely, not moored" .)