Hawkshead is located on the north side of Grand Haven, 20 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, off I-196 at North Shore Drive.

The golf course is a links-style design in the sand hills area of western Michigan, traversing mounded fairways lined with tall native grasses. Sand is the dominant feature here, with an abundance of conventional, pot, and long waste area bunkers defending the fairways and the generous green complexes. Wind is a primary defense, and the layout is mostly wide open to the elements, with stands of hardwood forests at the borders. It's 7,003 yards, 74.1/135, course/slope ratings slope from the back tees with four shorter tees, designed by Arthur Hills.