Crossword Genius

One holding wood let go of rebounding golf ball (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

firedog

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

'ball' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'one holding wood let go of rebounding golf' is the wordplay.
'one holding' is an insertion indicator.
'wood let go' becomes 'ired' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'rebounding' says the letters should be written in reverse (I've seen 'rebounds' mean this).
'golf' becomes 'g' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'of' reversed gives 'fo'.
'ired' placed within 'fo' is 'firedo'.
'firedo'+'g'='FIREDOG'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for firedog that I've seen before include "support for logs" , "Hearth support" , "Andiron" , "One stands by the hearth" , "hearth fixture" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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