You’ve seen the photos of the island green shaped like the state of South Carolina. It’s iconic. Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes looking at golf packages in Myrtle Beach, King's North golf course has probably popped up on your screen. But here’s the thing: most people just see it as a "bucket list" course and don't actually know what they’re getting into once they step onto that first tee at Myrtle Beach National.
It’s Arnold Palmer’s masterpiece. Or at least, it’s his most playful one.
King's North isn't just about hitting a ball from point A to point B. It’s a psychological grind. The course was originally opened in 1973 as the North Course, but Palmer came back in 1996 and basically ripped the soul out of it to create something entirely new. He didn't just renovate it; he transformed it into a gambling den disguised as a par-72 parkland layout. If you're the kind of golfer who plays it safe, you'll have a nice day. If you're the kind who thinks they're Tiger Woods circa 2000, this place will eat your lunch and your lunch money.
The Infamous Sixth Hole: The Gambler
We have to talk about the 6th. It’s unavoidable. Locally, everyone just calls it "The Gambler." This is a par 5 that forces a decision right out of the gate. You have two choices. You can play it the "boring" way, out to the right, following the long, curving fairway. Or, you can aim for the island fairway sitting in the middle of a lake.
Why would anyone do that?
Because if you stick that island fairway, you have a legitimate shot at reaching the green in two. It’s a classic risk-reward scenario. The fairway is wider than it looks from the tee, but the wind coming off the water at Myrtle Beach National can be a nightmare. I’ve seen guys with 5-handicaps dunk two balls in the water and walk off with a 9, while their 20-handicap buddies play it safe and card a par. It’s basically the heartbeat of King's North golf course. It’s loud, it’s stressful, and it’s incredibly fun.
Kenny Rogers’ song "The Gambler" actually plays at the tee box. It's a bit kitschy, sure. But it sets the mood. You aren't just playing golf; you're playing a game of chicken with a legendary designer.
Beyond the Island Fairways
Most people focus so much on the 6th that they forget the rest of the track is equally punishing if you lose focus. Take the par-3 12th. This is the "SC" hole. The green is an island, and the bunkers are shaped like the letters S and C.
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Is it a gimmick? Kinda.
Does it matter when you’re standing there with an 8-iron in your hand and the wind is swirling? Not at all. It’s a tough shot. The green is deeper than it is wide, and if you're short, you're in the sand. If you're long, you're wet. Palmer loved these visual intimidation tactics. He wanted you to look at the hole and feel something—usually a mix of awe and slight panic.
The back nine doesn't let up, either. The 18th hole, "The Bull's Eye," is a brutal finishing par 4. There are over 40 bunkers on this hole alone. Forty. It looks like a moonscape. You have to thread the needle off the tee and then hit an approach shot to a green protected by even more sand and water. It’s one of the hardest finishing holes on the Grand Strand, and it’s ruined many a good scorecard right at the finish line.
Why the Conditioning at King's North Matters
Let’s be real for a second. You can have the best design in the world, but if the greens are shaggy and the fairways are like hitting off a carpet, the experience sucks.
King's North golf course underwent a massive restoration recently. They swapped out the old bentgrass greens for Sunday Bermudagrass. This was a game-changer. Bentgrass in the South Carolina heat is a struggle; it gets stressed, it gets slow, and it gets bumpy. The new Bermuda is slick. It handles the humidity like a champ. When you play here now, the ball actually rolls true. You aren't fighting the grain as much as you'd think, but you definitely need to respect the speed.
The drainage here is also surprisingly good for a course that has so much water. Even after a typical coastal afternoon thunderstorm, the fairways tend to dry out quickly. This is thanks to the massive investment the Founders Group International made into the infrastructure of the course. They knew that if they were going to charge premium rates, the "dirt" had to be perfect.
Managing Your Expectations: It's Not a "Casual" Round
If you’re looking for a relaxed, beer-in-hand, don’t-care-about-the-score kind of day, you might want to look at the West Course or Southcreek next door. King's North demands your attention.
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The yardage from the back tees is over 7,000 yards. That’s plenty of golf course for anyone. Even from the regular white tees, which play around 6,200 yards, the forced carries will get to you. You spend a lot of time hitting over water or over massive expanses of sand.
- The Par 3s: They are all unique. None of them feel like filler.
- The Par 5s: They are all reachable if you're brave, but they all have "death" lurking if you miss.
- The Par 4s: These are the unsung heroes. Some are short and drivable (if you're crazy), and some are long grinds.
One thing people get wrong is thinking they need to use the driver on every hole. Honestly, leave it in the bag on a few of the tighter par 4s. Position is everything here. If you find the rough at King's North, the thick Bermuda will grab your clubhead and twist it. You’ll end up with a "flyer" that sails over the green or a chunk that goes 20 yards. Neither is great.
The Myth of the "Easy" Myrtle Beach Course
There’s this weird stigma that Myrtle Beach golf is all about "mickey mouse" courses and cheap golf packages. King's North kills that myth. It’s routinely ranked in the Top 100 public courses in the country by Golf Digest. It’s a serious test of golf.
The layout is expansive. You don’t feel like you’re on top of other golfers. The routing takes you through pine forests and around massive lakes, giving you a sense of isolation that’s hard to find in a tourist-heavy town.
But it's busy. You need to book your tee times months in advance if you’re coming during the peak spring or fall seasons. Don't expect a three-hour round. This is a five-hour experience because everyone—and I mean everyone—is taking photos on the 6th and 12th holes. Just accept it. Bring some extra water, maybe an extra sleeve of balls, and enjoy the scenery.
Tactical Advice for Your Round
When you finally get out there, keep a few things in mind. First, the 6th hole isn't just about the island. If you go for the island fairway, you need to hit it about 210-230 yards to be in the "sweet spot." Anything longer and you're in the water on the far side. Anything shorter and you're in the water in front.
Second, pay attention to the pin placements. The greens are massive. Being on the green doesn't mean you have a par. You can easily have a 60-foot putt with two breaks in it. Aim for the center of the green and take your two-putt.
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Third, don't let the 18th hole intimidate you. Yes, there are 40 bunkers. But the fairways are actually wider than they look from the tee. Pick a target—a specific tree or a distant bunker—and swing easy. The course is designed to make you tighten up. Your job is to stay loose.
Planning the Logistics
King's North is part of the Myrtle Beach National complex off Highway 501. It’s easy to get to, but traffic in Myrtle can be a beast. Give yourself an extra 30 minutes. The clubhouse is classic—nothing overly fancy, but it has a great pro shop and the grill makes a solid breakfast sandwich.
If you're staying on the North end of the beach, it’s a bit of a drive. If you're in central Myrtle or near the airport, it’s a breeze. Most people bundle this course with others like TPC Myrtle Beach or Pawleys Plantation. If you do that, King's North usually ends up being the highlight of the trip just because of the "fun factor."
Is it the hardest course in the world? No. Is it the most beautiful? Maybe not if you compare it to Pebble Beach. But is it one of the most memorable? Absolutely. You will remember the shots you hit here—and the ones you missed—long after you fly home.
Final Practical Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of King's North golf course, you need to be intentional. Don't just show up and wing it.
- Check the Aerification Schedule: Nothing ruins a trip like sandy greens. Call the pro shop directly to ask when they last punched the greens. Don't rely on third-party booking sites for this info.
- Download a GPS App: The carts usually have GPS, but having a backup like 18Birdies or Arccos helps with the blind shots and the distances to the water hazards on The Gambler.
- Practice Your Sand Saves: You will be in a bunker at some point. Probably multiple times. Spend 20 minutes at the practice bunker before you tee off.
- Buy the Yardage Book: It’s a few bucks in the pro shop and it’s a great souvenir. Plus, it gives you better lines off the tee than the screen in the cart.
- Stay Hydrated: The South Carolina humidity is no joke. Even in October, you can get dehydrated fast. The beverage carts are frequent, but keep a couple of Gatorades in your bag just in case.
King's North is a celebration of what makes golf great: it's a bit ridiculous, it's very challenging, and it's built on a foundation of "what if?" What if you go for it? What if you make that hero shot? That's why we play. And that's why this course stays at the top of the rankings year after year.
Stop thinking about it and just book the tee time. Even if you lose a dozen balls, you'll have a story to tell at the 19th hole. And really, isn't that why we go to Myrtle Beach in the first place?