King's North at Myrtle Beach National

Few courses on the Grand Strand carry as much accumulated round-count history as King's North. Arnold Palmer's original 1973 design at Myrtle Beach National became one of the most heavily played layouts in the region, a default choice for package golfers drawn by the Palmer name and a routing that rewarded aggression without severely penalizing caution. By 2024, decades of traffic had taken their toll. The 2025 renovation, led by Palmer Design associate Brandon Johnson, represents a thorough modernization rather than a philosophical overhaul.

The work touched every green complex, rebuilt bunkers to contemporary drainage standards, and regrassed playing surfaces throughout. Johnson preserved the routing's essential character, keeping the risk-reward par fives and the signature island green on the par-three sixth, while firming up edges that years of softening had blurred. Greens now present more defined contour, with collection areas replacing the vague run-off zones that had developed over time. The result is a course that plays with more precision than it has in years while retaining the welcoming width off the tee that made it popular in the first place.

The sixth hole remains the marquee moment: an island green surrounded by water, theatrical in the Palmer tradition. It plays shorter than it looks, typically 150 to 170 yards depending on pin and tee selection, and the green is large enough to absorb a slightly off-center iron. The drama is real but the execution is fair, which summarizes much of King's North's design philosophy.

Conditioning in the first year post-renovation has been notably strong. New turf establishment received careful attention during the grow-in period, and the course reopened with wall-to-wall grass coverage that older regulars may not recognize. Bunkers drain properly for the first time in years. Green speeds are consistent rather than variable, a persistent issue on heavily trafficked resort courses in the Myrtle Beach corridor.

The course occupies the central stretch of the Grand Strand, accessible from most area hotels within fifteen to twenty minutes. Myrtle Beach National operates as a multi-course facility, and King's North is the flagship. Tee time availability is generally good outside peak spring and fall windows, though weekend mornings in March, April, and October fill quickly.

Pace of play has historically been a concern here, a function of volume rather than design. The renovation included improved cart path routing and better flow between greens and subsequent tees, which should help. Expect four-and-a-half-hour rounds during busy periods and something closer to four hours on quieter weekday afternoons.

At $80 to $140 depending on season and time of day, King's North sits at the upper boundary of the mid-range tier. The post-renovation product justifies the pricing. For groups assembling a Myrtle Beach trip on a moderate budget, this is a sensible anchor round: a recognizable name, a design with genuine character, and conditioning that now matches the course's reputation. The Palmer connection is not merely cosmetic here. The routing reflects his preference for generous fairways paired with demanding approach shots, a combination that keeps rounds moving while still separating scores.