The build of anticipation during the drive to the course, not knowing exactly what's to come, trying to find the right song for the day.
The smell of the air in the fall and spring.
Walking onto the front of a green hit in regulation.
The almost bodiless feeling of autopilot you get, too infrequently, during a really strong round.
The chatter, and getting down to the nuts and bolts and details of a round when playing with friends.