Copper directed to return holding golf club (6)
I believe the answer is:
cudgel
'club' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'copper directed to return holding golf' is the wordplay.
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'directed' becomes 'led' (leading is a kind of directing**).
'to return' is a reversal indicator.
'holding' is an insertion indicator.
'golf' becomes 'g' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'led' written backwards gives 'del'.
'del' going around 'g' is 'dgel'.
'cu'+'dgel'='CUDGEL'
(Other definitions for cudgel that I've seen before include "Truncheon-like weapon" , "A ruffian's club" , "brain" , "Bludgeon" , "Blunt instrument" .)