This course is best known for the vast amount of wetlands incorporated into its design At least five of the eighteen holes have wetlands coming into play In addition many of the slightly sloping greens are well bunkered The terrain varies between flat and hilly and there is a standard cut of rough defining the borders of the fairways The design offers the golfer a variety of well groomed contoured holes Sculpted out of Northern Michigan woodlands Elk Ridge is home to some of Michigan s largest elk herds Hole 16 a 381 yard par 4 was voted one of The Best 18 Holes You Can Play by Golf Digest in 1997 From the back tees this hole features a distinct dogleg left fairway that veers around a marshland Trees at the corner of the dogleg dictate the tee shot The course was also rated as the 18th Best in State course for 1995 96 and 17th best in 1997 98 In addition Golf Digest ranked it 47th among the Top 75 Upscale Courses for 1996 The other tee shown is an additional men s tee