5 Things You Need to Know: King’s North

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is one of the Grand Strand’s iconic layouts. It has a high profile home, a famed architect, and it’s one of the area’s most sought after tee times.

So what do you need to know before teeing it up at this Myrtle Beach golf favorite? We have answers.

1. It wasn’t always the King: The layout opened in 1973, but it was initially known as the North Course. Arnold Palmer, who consulted on the original design, overhauled the layout in 1996, redoing the greens, flipping the nines, and making substantive changes throughout. To reflect the impact of Arnie’s involvement, the course’s name was changed to King’s North and it immediately emerged as one of the nation’s best.

2. National Notice: The redesign was substantial enough that Golf Digest recognized King’s North among America’s Best New Courses upon its 1996 reopening. A 4.5-star layout, King’s North has also been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses. 

3. Memory Maker: An essential ingredient of a great golf course is memorability, and King’s North has it in spades. From The Gambler, the par 5, 6th hole that is arguably the area’s most recognizable, to the 18th, which has 40 bunkers guarding the left side of the fairway, the layout has as many unforgettable holes as any Myrtle Beach golf course.

4. Decisions, Decisions: The course tempts players with risk-reward decisions throughout the round. If you want to drive the third green, take a crack. Reach The Gambler in two? Have it. Blowing it over a large bunker and setting up a short approach on the fifth hole is doable as well. But there are risks with each shot. The point is, King’s North presents a multitude choices that help make playing the course so much fun on a Myrtle Beach golf vacation.

5. Home, Sweet, Home: King’s North anchors Myrtle Beach National, one of the most popular multicourse facilities on the Myrtle Beach golf scene. Comprised of King’s North, the West Course and SouthCreek, MBN is an ideal hub to build a Myrtle Beach golf package around – just make sure you challenge the King.