One in a hole, at golf? (3)
I believe the answer is:
pin
'golf?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their base form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'one in a hole' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'a hole' becomes 'pn' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'i' going into 'pn' is 'PIN'.
'at' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pin that I've seen before include "Initially, confidential number for use of bank card" , "Badge" , "Fixing device" , "Sewer's aid" , "Fastener; skittle" .)