A Proud Elks Tradition
For generations, the club has been a trusted gathering place for Portsmouth’s Elks Lodge, blending local spirit, golf, and camaraderie. The community’s support has kept its vintage charm alive through the decades.
The verdict
Historic Ross, Local Golf Gem
Elks Country Club is a proud, classic Donald Ross design that delivers value, variety, and a slice of golf history. While not a national destination, its vintage parkland architecture and community roots make it a must for Ross fans touring Southern Ohio.
Course DNA
Difficulty
69
Scenery64
Conditioning65
Shot Variety76
Walkability70
Green Complexity78
Wow Factor66
Design Quality73
From golfers who've played it
At a glance
Quick facts
Designer
Donald Ross
Dress Code
Standard golf attire recommended
Green Type
Bermuda grass
Course Rating/Slope
71.0 / 117
Clubhouse
Elks lodge, full-service
Public Access
Daily-fee for all golfers
Year Opened
1924
Notable Feature
Fast and true Ross greens
The design
The architecture
Elks Country Club is a pure example of classic Donald Ross parkland design—strategic, playable, and enduring. Routed through mature trees and natural corridors, the course rewards thoughtful position and creative shot-making while maintaining a charming, walkable flow. Fast, subtle greens and a blend of reachable par 5s and exacting par 3s keep every round engaging. The integrity of Ross’s original philosophy shines, even as some bunkers and hazards have been softened over the decades.
Donald Ross’s signature approach—rewarding precision, favoring options over punishment—remains the beating heart of Elks’s identity.
Defining features
- Flowing golden-age routing
- Strategic angles into greens
- Subtle and quick Ross green complexes
- Natural parkland setting
- Playable for all skill levels
- Short par 4s and muscular par 3s
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 7
Long Iron Gauntlet
PAR
3
YARDAGE
215
The 215-yard 7th requires a pure long-iron or hybrid carry to a tightly guarded green. It’s a true test of nerve early in the round, setting the bar for shot-making on the front side.
Play it smart
Commit to your club and target green center—missing short brings a tricky recovery.
Where it bites
Anything left or short risks deep trouble with a small bailout zone and a difficult up-and-down.
Course management
Shots to think about
Long par-3 tee shots
Favor safe targets and focus on solid contact—par is a great score.
Short par 4s
Resist the temptation to attack—play to your yardage for the best angle in.
Approach into Ross greens
Aim for safe zones and respect false fronts; conservative is often correct.
Back-nine starts
On hole 10, commit to your shape and club choice—avoid being out of position.
Lag putts on fast greens
Trust your speed and stay below the hole whenever possible.
Finishing stretch pressure
Stay patient—focus on placement and minimize big mistakes coming home.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Solid, value-oriented daily-fee parkland turf; greens typically fast and true; occasional rough spots befitting a classic small-town club.
Pace
Normal pace for a public course; expect a 4 to 4.5-hour round on average.
Vibe
Relaxed, welcoming, and civic-minded—more about timeless golf than glitz or modern indulgence.
Dress code
Standard golf attire recommended; collared shirts suggested.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Bring your best iron game
Approach precision pays off with Ross’s green sites—otherwise, up-and-downs get creative.
02
Walk or ride, your choice
The routing is walker friendly, but you can grab a cart for comfort on summer days.
03
Check tee times in advance
Public access means busy weekends—reserve ahead for the best times.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1924
Course opens as a Donald Ross design
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Ross’s Southern Ohio Signature
Donald Ross left his mark here in 1924, devising a routing that runs with the land and defends par with clever green sites and short-grass strategy. It’s a straight shot back to the Golden Age—even as the hazards have softened.
Value That Lasts
Golfers rave about the unbeatable price-to-fun ratio. Sure, you won’t find marble-lined locker rooms or Tour stop fanfare, but you will find 18 unpretentious, playable, historic holes that respect your wallet and your time.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Built by Donald Ross in 1924 at the height of his design career.
2
Connected to Portsmouth’s Elks Lodge, anchoring decades of local civic life.
3
Maintains much of its original Ross routing and green sites nearly a century later.
4
Hosted countless community tournaments but never a national championship.
5
Received a 4-star Golf Digest rating in the 1990s.
Build the trip
If you’re making a Southern Ohio golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Paula Creek Golf Course
Public
Straightforward public-round pairing, easy access
Raven Rock Golf Course
Public
Fun, playable course—perfect for adding a second round
Maysville Country Club
Semi-Private
Classic small-club vibe for those with access
Griffiths Greens
Public
Ideal filler round near Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Ohio
Course DNA
If You Like Elks Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Manchester Country Club
Bedford, New HampshireWhy it matches: If Elks Country Club is your kind of course, Manchester Country Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.3
Fort Mill Golf Club
Fort Mill, South CarolinaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Fort Mill Golf Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Elks Country Club.
Strong DNA Match9.3
Pinehurst Resort (No. 2 Course)
Pinehurst, North CarolinaWhy it matches: If Elks Country Club is your kind of course, Pinehurst Resort (No. 2 Course) is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Community Sentiment
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