The year has fixtures.

The season opens with the captain driving from the first in front of the whole club — a single ball, a great deal of advice, and breakfast afterwards.

The first medal of the year, off the championship tees, no excuses. The board in the hall has every winner since 1923.

Thirty-six holes of foursomes with invited clubs; the trophy is a silver rose bowl nobody is allowed to polish.

A week of coaching, matches and burnt sausages for the academy. The course belongs to the juniors after three.

Black tie, the terrace at dusk, and a band that has played the same last song since 1987. The ballot opens in June.

Match play over three weekends for the oldest pot in the cabinet. The final draws a gallery; the gallery keeps its opinions loud.

Winter golf off mats, soup at the turn, and handicaps that mysteriously improve by spring.

Foursomes on New Year's morning — the shortest field of the year and the best table at lunch afterwards.