The Elks is located 10 minutes north of Portsmouth on the west side of the Scioto River.

The golf course is a Donald Ross original design that hasn't been touched since it opened in 1924. It's a parkland layout with fairways defined by old-growth hardwoods leading to modest, contoured, and slightly elevated greens, many of which are defended by deep-faced sand bunkers. It wanders through a scenic setting on a small 110-acre tract of land surrounded by the farmland and forests of the Scioto River Valley. From the back tees, the course yardage is 6,677, 70.7/116, course/slope ratings with two shorter tees.