Car only one month old
Hand washed and waxed multiple times with meguires NXT
Dark Green - figured out how to do it with not a single swirl mark, but...

Behind the wheels is now "rough" to the touch - do I need to clay or polish this area?

Can I only do one area without doing the whole car?

It will come off if I "scrub - but I do not want to do that.

I suggest claying the car. Might as well do the entire car--be sure to use plenty of lubricant, start from the top, and work your way down.

Bite the bullet and add the mud guards.

mud flaps? really? Any pictures?

If I clay the car do I need to polish it also (not wax, but the polishing compounds)?

No need to polish just because you clay. Do it if needed. Definitely wax, though.

Yes I do agree with you some what stream, however I am of the belief that if your car needs claying then you car usually is also in need of polishing.. however if u jsut polished and decided to clay then no you don;t need to polish..

Here ya go.