King’s North Insider Guide: FAQs Before You Play

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National remains one of the Grand Strand’s cornerstone layouts, drawing golfers from across the country to experience one of Arnold Palmer’s most celebrated designs. Following a renovation led by Brandon Johnson, the course has only grown in popularity.

As you plan your next Myrtle Beach golf trip, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about King’s North.

What kind of challenge are you facing at King’s North?

King’s North sits squarely in the middle of the difficulty spectrum along the Grand Strand, but that doesn’t mean it plays easy. Its risk-reward design creates constant decision-making, and those choices can quickly impact your score. Strong ball-striking and a willingness to take on bold lines are rewarded—exactly how Palmer envisioned it.

Before diving deeper, here’s a look at King’s North by the numbers:

Course Details

Black Tees: 6,903 yards, 74.4/154
Burnt Orange: 6,453 yards, 71.9/146 (m) 78.2/150 (w)
Creme: 6,033 yards, 70.3/138 (m) 75.9/146 (w)
Forest Green: 5,653 yards, 68.0/136 (m), 73.7/141 (w)
Garnet: 4,752 yards, 64.0/125 (m) 68.1/127 (w)

How significant was the renovation?

The renovation preserved Palmer’s original routing, and aside from some bunker adjustments, the layout from tee to green remains largely intact. Where Johnson made his biggest impact was on and around the greens.

Putting surfaces were restored to their original size—and in some cases expanded—while internal contouring was enhanced to create more movement and visual interest. The surrounds were also reworked and are now tightly mowed, giving players the option to use the ground game.

You’ll notice it immediately on the par-4 second hole. The back-right portion of the green is far more pronounced, and players can now use the contours on the left side to feed approach shots toward the hole.

Who is Brandon Johnson?

Johnson spent 17 years with Arnold Palmer Golf Design as a longtime protégé of “The King.” His deep understanding of Palmer’s design philosophy made him the perfect choice to modernize King’s North while preserving its original character.

Does King’s North have a signature hole?

Without question—and it may be the most recognizable hole in Myrtle Beach.

The par-5 sixth, known as “The Gambler,” features an alternate island fairway that dares players to take a more aggressive line off the tee. Those willing to gamble are rewarded with a chance at birdie or even eagle.

While other holes stand out—the drivable par-4 third and the island green 12th among them—“The Gambler” remains the defining hole at King’s North.

What kind of golfer is the course best for?

King’s North is designed to appeal to a wide range of players. From the white tees at 6,024 yards, mid- to high-handicappers have a realistic opportunity to score, while low-handicap players can choose more aggressive lines.

There are forced carries throughout the round, but most are manageable. Whether you’re a scratch player or a weekend golfer, the course offers a balanced and enjoyable test.

What makes the course fun?

Shot values and decision-making define the experience at King’s North. The course challenges players without overwhelming them, and nearly every hole presents a choice.

At the drivable par-4 third, players must decide whether to play safely to the right of the fairway bunker or take on the green. On the short par-4 fifth, the question becomes how much of the dogleg left you’re willing to challenge.

Every par-3 brings water into play, and throughout the round, you’ll encounter a steady stream of memorable holes and risk-reward opportunities.

Where can you make birdie?

The third hole offers one of the best birdie chances on the course if you’re willing to hit an aggressive tee shot. The par-5 10th is another opportunity, giving players a chance to build momentum heading into the back nine.

What is the hardest hole on the course?

According to the USGA, the most difficult holes on each side are both par-5s—Nos. 6 and 15.

From a player’s perspective, however, the 384-yard par-4 14th is one of the toughest tests on the course. The dogleg left demands a precise tee shot, with a waste bunker guarding the left side and woods lining the right. Miss your line, and you’re left with a long, challenging approach over sand and water.

How can you book tee times?

The easiest way to book a tee time is online at MyrtleBeachNational.com, MyrtleBeachGolfTrips.com, or MBN.com.

What’s the best package featuring King’s North?

There are several ways to include King’s North in your trip, but the Founders Group All-Inclusive Package stands out. It allows you to pair the course with more than 20 other FGI layouts, including Grande Dunes, Pawleys Plantation, and TPC Myrtle Beach.

The package also includes lunch each day at the clubhouse and two drinks, making it one of the best overall values available.

Does the course allow walking?

Yes. With no surrounding housing and green-to-tee transitions that are relatively short, King’s North is a very walkable course.