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Hi please can you help with the above clue from a seriously ancient Times Cryptic which was re printed in July 2017. I was having a clear out and found it. This was the only clue I hadn't solved.

?o?a?

Total
tee total is dry
tee is a pinch of sand which, when added to total would be dry

Nowadays, a golfer would use a plastic tee, probably, but originally a caddie,took a pinch of sand,dampened it in the water,and created a tee from which to hit the ball

Thank you. Very. Much. We learn something every day...I told you it was from an ancient crossword...but perhaps not a Royal and Ancient.....

My 'ancient' Chambers dictionary shows

tee - the tiny sand heap from which the ball is first played

Interesting to find out that this clue was also in the first ever Times crossword.

And below is a link to a sand Tee mold.


https://www.hookedongolfblog.com/2016/03/28/first-look-perfect-tee-mold-vintage-replica-sand-tee-mold

Here is a link for anyone who wants to try the first Times crossword.

Subscription is required. I unfortunately am not subscribed as I would have liked to try it.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/try-the-first-times-crossword-m8jc7dxv3

Thank you one and all.

One may also purchase a genuine sand tee, made from British sand:
http://tinyurl.com/y8at6mmw

Only US $40 (+ shipping & duty). Scroll down for details.

P.T. Barnum was right.

Thanks for the interesting links, shooty , and
Syzygy - "There's a sucker born every minute "