Why?

[cracker22]

I can't see why this clue fits the answer (except the first word), so why?

29a: Defect in 15, for example, no good for clubs (11) - SHORTCOMING

15 is: Wise man finally appears in U.S. lake (5) - ERNIE

29a is a complete mystery to me!

[bookbinder]

Well, Ernie Wise was a 'short', i.e. small, man, so that's where the short comes from.

[dxhound2003]

Explained here

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1157696.html

[bibblebub]

p.s. Ernie Wise's real surname was Wiseman but that's by the by

[mike11111]

29a The answer to 15 as explained by others could be "short comic". Exchanging "ng" (no good) for "c" (clubs) at the end gives "shortcoming", a defect.

[cracker22]

Sorry dxhound2003 - you should realy have been the best answer!