Crossword Genius

Start a round of golf to have a good relationship? (3,2,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hit it off

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

'a round of golf to have a good relationship?' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether this works.

'start' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'start' could be 'off' (I've seen this before) and 'off' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'hitit' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hit it off that I've seen before include "Agree - get on well together" , "Be well suited" , "Develop a good friendly relationship" , "Become compatible and friendly" , "Become immediate friends" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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