King's North at Myrtle Beach National

King's North at Myrtle Beach National is Arnold Palmer's 1973 design, renovated in 2025 by Palmer Design associate Brandon Johnson. Few Grand Strand courses carry as much accumulated round-count history; for years it was a default choice for package golfers drawn by the Palmer name and a routing that rewarded aggression without severely punishing caution. By 2024, decades of traffic had taken their toll. The renovation is a thorough modernisation rather than a philosophical overhaul.

The work touched every green complex, rebuilt bunkers to contemporary drainage standards, and regrassed throughout. Johnson kept the routing's essential character, including 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 show more defined contour, with collection areas in place of the vague run-off zones that had developed over time. The result plays with more precision than it has in years while keeping the welcoming width off the tee that made it popular.

The sixth is still the marquee moment, an island green surrounded by water in the theatrical Palmer tradition. It plays shorter than it looks, typically 150 to 170 yards depending on tee and pin, and the green is large enough to absorb a slightly off-centre iron. Drama is real, execution is fair, which fits King's North's overall philosophy.

First-year-post-renovation conditioning has been notably strong. New turf established cleanly and the course reopened with wall-to-wall grass coverage older regulars may not recognise. Bunkers drain properly for the first time in years. Green speeds run consistent rather than variable, a chronic issue on heavily trafficked Myrtle Beach corridor courses.

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