Elk Rapids is on 3,000 feet of frontage on Elm Lake on the east side of Elk Rapids 30 minutes northeast of Traverse City.

The golf club is on an isthmus between Elk Lake and Grand Traverse Bay on mostly level land with a couple of fairways bordering the lake and the occasional lake view. It's a proper 9 hole layout along fairways defined by trees with 25 fescue-topped, sand bunkers in play and mid-sized, raised greens. It's a Donald Ross original design, mostly untouched, and plays to 3,067 yards off the back tees, 69.0/121, course/slope ratings with two shorter tees.