Old Hickory is on the east side of Beaver Dam on WI 33, about 1.5 hours northwest of Milwaukee.

The layout is a classic parkland course with fairways defined by old-growth, hardwood trees along numerous doglegs, water hazards, and sand bunkers. The greens are elevated, smooth, and fast, and downhill putts are treacherous. The original nine holes were designed by Tom Bendelow (Medinah and Olympia Fields in Chicago), while the second nine was designed by Robert Greaves and Billy Sixty Jr. There are five sets of tees, and the tips play to 6,727 yards, 72.9/130, course/slope ratings.