Cryptic crossword clue
Spot runs up, circling one, barks briefly – not what golfer wants 4

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word YIPS

Y
I
P
S

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "barks briefly/not what golfer wants" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case barks briefly/not what golfer wants = yips.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does YIPS mean?

YIPS noun
  1. A sharp, high-pitched bark
YIPS verb
  1. To bark with a sharp, high-pitched voice
YIPS noun
  1. A nervous condition which prevents a sportsperson from playing properly; especially a condition which causes a golfer to miss an easy putt, or a tennis player to serve a double fault.

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