Myrtle Beach National: King's North
Myrtle Beach National: King's North
4900 National Dr
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579-7212
United States
Telephone
Overview
A past member of our 100 Greatest Public list, King’s North is one of three layouts at Myrtle Beach National. The Arnold Palmer design features some of the Grand Strand’s most notable holes, including the par-5 sixth hole, aptly nicknamed “The Gambler.” Off the tee, players must choose one of the two fairways, either the island strip that shortens the hole, or the safer option to the right, making it a three-shotter. The par-3 12th features an island green, and though it’s more generous than the famous TPC Sawgrass original, the wooden bulkheads lining the green provide similar intimidation. Brandon Johnson, who worked alongside Mr. Palmer, has returned to King's North to complete the final phase of a bold two-year transformation.
About
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Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Originally opened in 1973 as an Arnold Palmer collaboration and named the North Course at Myrtle Beach National Golf Club, the course was renamed as King’s North after a 1996 redesign by the Palmer Design Group. Playing at 6,903 yards from the back tees and a slope of 154 and a rating of 74.4, King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is bold, memorable, and intentionally dramatic - exactly what you’d expect from an Arnold Palmer redesign that embraces risk reward golf at every turn. The fairways are wide at King’s North and invite aggressive play, but the strategic bunkering and water hazards make sure you think twice before pulling driver. The routing flows well, offering a blend of scorable holes and intimidating challenges that keep the round interesting from start to finish. King’s North offers 2 signature holes, the 6th and 12th. “The Gambler” (No. 6) is an excellent risk-reward hole with its choice of hitting left to an island fairway and going for the green in two over water or a safe play right which makes it a true 3-shotter. The par 3 “Bull’s Eye” (No. 12) is King’s North version of the famous island green 17th at TPC Sawgrass, surrounded by bunkers with two shaped as an “S” and “C” to honor South Carolina. Nearly every hole at King’s North has a distinct look, whether it’s a winding fairway, a bunker complex that seems to stretch forever, or water that wraps around the landing area. The fairways aren’t narrow but positioning matters. Playing safely often leaves a tougher approach, while taking on hazards rewards you with better opportunities and easier approaches. The course flows well, mixing scorable holes with intimidating ones so the round never feels repetitive. Conditions at King’s North are good, especially considering the volume of play the course receives. The greens are smooth, medium fast to fast, and generally roll true. They have enough contour to keep putting interesting without punishing you for being slightly off. The fairways are well maintained and firm. The bunkers offer consistent sand quality. This is especially nice since there are plenty and you’ll find yourself in them (Mr. Palmer made sure of that) but very they’re playable. King’s North works for a wide range of golfers. High handicaps will appreciate the wide fairways, clear visuals, and forgiving rough. Mid handicaps will enjoy the mix of challenge and opportunity with plenty of chances to score if you manage your game. Low handicaps will find strategic depth, challenging angles, and many risk reward decisions that reward confident shot making. King’s North doesn’t beat you up unfairly, but it absolutely tests your decision making - play conservative and shoot a solid number or play aggressively and chase a memorable round with the understanding that you might pay for your ambition. King’s North is one of Myrtle Beach’s more enjoyable golf experiences. It is a round filled with decisions, drama, and character. If you’re planning a Myrtle Beach golf trip, King’s North deserves a spot near the top of your list. It is fun, challenging and scenic. The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming, and definitely “resort golf”, but without the pretentiousness of some more upscale resort courses. It’s a place where serious golfers and casual vacationers both feel comfortable."
Read More2026
Review
“Originally opened in 1973 as an Arnold Palmer collaboration and named the North Course at Myrtle Beach National Golf Club, the course was renamed as King’s North after a 1996 redesign by the Palmer Design Group. Playing at 6,903 yards from the back tees and a slope of 154 and a rating of 74.4, King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is bold, memorable, and intentionally dramatic - exactly what you’d expect from an Arnold Palmer redesign that embraces risk reward golf at every turn. The fairways are wide at King’s North and invite aggressive play, but the strategic bunkering and water hazards make sure you think twice before pulling driver. The routing flows well, offering a blend of scorable holes and intimidating challenges that keep the round interesting from start to finish. King’s North offers 2 signature holes, the 6th and 12th. “The Gambler” (No. 6) is an excellent risk-reward hole with its choice of hitting left to an island fairway and going for the green in two over water or a safe play right which makes it a true 3-shotter. The par 3 “Bull’s Eye” (No. 12) is King’s North version of the famous island green 17th at TPC Sawgrass, surrounded by bunkers with two shaped as an “S” and “C” to honor South Carolina. Nearly every hole at King’s North has a distinct look, whether it’s a winding fairway, a bunker complex that seems to stretch forever, or water that wraps around the landing area. The fairways aren’t narrow but positioning matters. Playing safely often leaves a tougher approach, while taking on hazards rewards you with better opportunities and easier approaches. The course flows well, mixing scorable holes with intimidating ones so the round never feels repetitive. Conditions at King’s North are good, especially considering the volume of play the course receives. The greens are smooth, medium fast to fast, and generally roll true. They have enough contour to keep putting interesting without punishing you for being slightly off. The fairways are well maintained and firm. The bunkers offer consistent sand quality. This is especially nice since there are plenty and you’ll find yourself in them (Mr. Palmer made sure of that) but very they’re playable. King’s North works for a wide range of golfers. High handicaps will appreciate the wide fairways, clear visuals, and forgiving rough. Mid handicaps will enjoy the mix of challenge and opportunity with plenty of chances to score if you manage your game. Low handicaps will find strategic depth, challenging angles, and many risk reward decisions that reward confident shot making. King’s North doesn’t beat you up unfairly, but it absolutely tests your decision making - play conservative and shoot a solid number or play aggressively and chase a memorable round with the understanding that you might pay for your ambition. King’s North is one of Myrtle Beach’s more enjoyable golf experiences. It is a round filled with decisions, drama, and character. If you’re planning a Myrtle Beach golf trip, King’s North deserves a spot near the top of your list. It is fun, challenging and scenic. The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming, and definitely “resort golf”, but without the pretentiousness of some more upscale resort courses. It’s a place where serious golfers and casual vacationers both feel comfortable."
Read More2026
Review
“Updated bunkering and some green surrounds, but using the same corridors."
Read More2026
Review
“A great redesign of the old north course at Myrtle Beach National. I played the north course over 40 years ago in a college tournament and the changes are striking. Brandon Johnson took an Arnold Palmer/Frank Duanne design from the mid 70's and transformed it into something special. The green complexes are brillant, complex, large for the most part and full on challanges. There were no easy putts. The green side bunkering was unrelenting and penal. The fairway bunkering was there to help you guide your tee shot, but no fun to be in. The use of waste areas is a major change from the original design, which I liked. The course is flat out hard if you are off line. So many holes are very difficult, #7, #8, #9, #11, #14 and #18 are just beasts! My favorite hole is the par 5 6th hole where the golfer has a decision to make. Hit to an island fairway (surrounded by water) or play safe to the right. The green is reachable for those with guts. A great risk reward hole. Brandon Johnson made a name for himself here. Conditioning was what you would exepect from a new renovation. The front nine was completed over a year ago and the fairways and greens were in good condition. The back nine opened this year and has not fully grown in yet. But over time it will. A really good test of golf."
Read More2026
Review
“The renovation has made the course easier, and more friendly to the high handicap golfers. Bunker complexes and greens have undergone the most significant changes."
Read More2026
Review
“While this course is famous for "The Gambler" hole, it is but one of many great holes. A must play in the Myrtle Beach area."
Read More2024
Review
“Really fun routing using water/waste areas liberally, but intelligently. Couple of excellent risk/reward holes and an excellent set of par 3s that require varied clubs to play."
Read More2024
Review
“Typical MB course, some of the holes feel repetitive, decent condition."
Read More2022
