Hole by Hole: Your Guide to the New Front Nine at King’s North

The renovation of King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is complete. As you look forward to playing one of Myrtle Beach’s iconic layouts, we talked with architect Brandon Johnson about his overhaul of the Arnold Palmer classic. Based on our conversation with Brandon, here is a hole-by-hole guide to the “new” front nine.

No. 1
Par: 5
502 yards
Handicap: 10
The opening hole remains a reachable par 5, but subtle design tweaks have transformed it into a more engaging start. Reoriented bunkers now define sightlines and strategy from tee to green, while the once-hidden bunker left of the putting surface provides new visual and strategic interest. A grove of trees guards the left side, rewarding drives favoring the center-right. Cross bunkers demand a choice: lay-up safely or challenge the line for a better angle into the newly contoured green.

No. 2
Par: 4
409 yards
Handicap: 8
This medium-length par 4 often enjoys the benefit of the prevailing wind. Two fairway bunkers frame the tee shot, and once safely in play, golfers face an approach over a yawning waste area guarding the front of the green. Johnson reshaped green-side mounds, converting what was once heavy rough into a new feeding slope on the left side, allowing players to use the contour to feed balls toward tucked pins.

No. 3
Par: 4
365 yards
Handicap: 12
A risk-reward hole, No. 3 captures the heroic spirit of King’s North. The tee shot plays across a large pond, forcing players to choose between the safer right fairway or the more daring line over the waste bunkers toward the green. The renovation refined the waste area and reimagined the green complex, adding new depth and variety. The elongated putting surface now features new pin positions and reshaped surrounds that invite creative recovery shots. Those who challenge the longer carry are rewarded with the best angle into this narrow green.

No. 4
Par: 3
180 yards
Handicap: 16
A short to mid-length par 3, No. 4 plays into low-lying cove where the wind tends to swirl, so take enough club to comfortably carry the water guarding the front. The newly enlarged green extended both left and right, introducing a wider range of pin placements and shot options. The left side features a subtle sideboard and backboard, allowing players to feed the ball toward the hole for a birdie or (dare I say) better.

No. 5
Par: 4
347 yards
Handicap: 14
Another short par 4, this dogleg left invites aggression, but that requires challenging the left tree line and fairway bunker to reap the primary benefit: a short pitch into a receptive green. The horseshoe-shaped putting surface is guarded by three bunkers that sit snugly across the front, effectively bisecting the approach. Accuracy is everything here; those who find the right angle off the tee can set up an excellent birdie opportunity.

No. 6
Par: 5
568 yards
Handicap: 2
After a few early risk-reward choices, “The Gambler” raises the stakes. This iconic par 5 offers two distinct routes: play it safely down the right side, avoiding water but adding distance, or take the gutsy line to the island fairway. The aggressive play cuts off significant yardage and sets up a great angle into the green, which features a generous backstop to help hold approaches. But true to its name, the hole demands nerve as water surrounds the island fairway and fronts the green, meaning one bad swing can dreams of birdie into a double bogey.

No. 7
Par: 4
423 yards
Handicap: 6
This is a short to mid-length par 4 that often plays into the prevailing breeze. A large waste bunker connects Holes 2 and 7, guarding the left side of the fairway and catching drives that are pulled offline. The fairway has been widened, giving players more room to navigate. The reshaped green now features intriguing front-right, back-right, and back-left pin positions, with a deep rear bunker ready to catch overly cautious approaches.

No. 8
Par: 3
190 yards
Handicap: 18
The second par 3 on the front nine, No. 8 offers a wide range of tee and yardage options. One of the larger and more receptive greens on the course, it features a distinct middle tier and bowl-like back section. Aggressive players can use the sideboards and back slopes to access back pins, while those facing front locations can safely play beyond the flag and let the contours feed the ball back toward the hole.

No. 9
Par: 4
465 yards
Handicap: 4
The front nine finishes with a flourish as this two-shotter offers a generous fairway and a clear view framed by a new waste bunker that ties into Hole 10. This is a straightaway hole that offers a classic look and feel. The front of the green is open, allowing players to run the ball up, but the putting surface subtly falls away, making club and shot selection of vital importance