Tee off in tense, rustic retreats (4)
I believe the answer is:
inns
'rustic retreats' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'tee off in tense' is the wordplay.
'off' is a deletion indicator.
'in'+'tense'='intense'
'intense' with 'tee' taken away is 'INNS'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inns that I've seen before include "Old hostelries or pubs" , "Locals" , "Places of rest and sustenance for travellers" , "Drink here and learn about the King's law" , "More than one pub" .)