Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
Courtesy of Invited Clubs
TPC Craig Ranch
TPC Craig Ranch
8000 Collin McKinney Pkwy
McKinney, TX 75070-7678
United States
Overview
TPC Craig Ranch, located in the Dallas suburb of McKinney, is a Tom Weiskopf design that plays among gently rolling hills and on the limestone banks of Rowlett Creek, which crosses the course 14 times. The course has hosted the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson since 2021. The course underwent an eye-popping $25-million renovation by Lanny Wadkins in 2025, aimed at curbing scoring at the tour event while increasing playability for the average player. The changes didn't stop the players going super low in 2026, with Wyndham Clark winning the tournament at 30-under, one stroke higher than the 2025 event.
About
Awards
ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked 37th, 2023-'26.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Shot Options – The renovation has significantly increased the number of decisions and shot options throughout TPC Craig Ranch, most notably through the completely redesigned green complexes and repositioned hazards. The par-4, 3rd is one of the best examples. The expanded left fairway now creates a true alternate route requiring a long carry over Rowlett Creek into a narrow landing area, but rewards the risk with an approach playing down the length of the new green. The safer right fairway leaves a much shallower angle into a green relocated alongside the creek. The par-5, 5th adds another strategic decision with the new “Hell’s Full Acre” waste area influencing layup position and the angle of the third shot. The 6th requires players to work backward from the day’s pin location, as the position of the tee shot can determine which section of the heavily contoured green is accessible. The drivable par-4, 14th provides another strong risk/reward opportunity, where challenging the pond with driver can leave a short shot or chance at the green, while laying back provides greater control of distance and spin on the approach. Fun – I really enjoyed seeing how dramatically the renovation changed the way TPC Craig Ranch plays without abandoning the original routing. The redesigned greens make nearly every approach more interesting, while Rowlett Creek, the new waste areas and repositioned bunkers create considerably more thought from tee to green. Holes such as 3, 9 and 14 provide exciting risk/reward opportunities, and the closing stretch from 13 through 18 should be particularly enjoyable when the prevailing wind is blowing. The renovation made the course more demanding, but the added decisions and variety also made it more enjoyable to play. Challenge – TPC Craig Ranch is considerably more challenging following the renovation, particularly when the course is playing firm and fast and the prevailing wind is present. Rather than simply adding length, many hazards were repositioned into areas that influence modern landing zones. The 10th is a good example: previously a generous downwind driving hole, the addition of two bunkers to the right and a large waste area extending along the left side makes the tee shot considerably more demanding. The redesigned greens provide another layer of challenge through ridges, slopes, false edges and runoff areas that place greater importance on distance control and hitting the correct section of the putting surface. The 16th demonstrates this particularly well, as missing left can leave a 10- to 12-foot uphill recovery from a tight lie, while coming up short brings a deep bunker complex into play. Well-executed shots are rewarded, but misses to the wrong side or section of many greens now carry significantly greater consequences. Layout Variety – The renovation retained the fundamental Tom Weiskopf routing, but several holes were substantially transformed, and the redesigned green complexes added considerably more variety throughout the course. The 3rd occupies essentially the same footprint yet now plays like a completely different hole through its split-fairway strategy and relocated green. The par-3, 4th features a modified Biarritz concept with a deep bunker left and large runoff areas, while the 6th incorporates a Lion’s Mouth-inspired green and the 7th utilizes characteristics of a Redan. Wadkins took a contrasting minimalist approach on the 11th, removing the greenside bunkers and relying on slopes and contours to defend the putting surface. The course also mixes true three-shot par 5s, a drivable par 4 at the 14th, demanding long par 4s and several distinctly different par-3 green complexes. Although the routing remains largely unchanged, the renovation created much greater variety in how individual holes are played. Aesthetics – The renovation improved the visual presentation of TPC Craig Ranch by better incorporating the property’s existing natural features and providing greater definition to several previously expansive corridors. Rowlett Creek is now much more prominent throughout the course, with several greens and fairways moved closer to the creek so that it becomes both a strategic and visual feature. Large waste/native complexes on holes such as 3, 5, 10 and 16, combined with native grasses and vegetation, help tighten the appearance of the property and provide greater definition from the tees. The redesigned bunkering and green complexes also provide more visual interest, particularly on holes where hazards now sit immediately adjacent to the putting surfaces rather than being disconnected from play. Conditioning – TPC Craig Ranch underwent a complete agronomic and infrastructure overhaul as part of the renovation, including new irrigation and drainage systems, reconstructed bunkers and new turf throughout the putting surfaces. The new 777 Bentgrass greens provided consistent putting surfaces throughout the course, while the reconstructed surrounds allowed the contours and runoff areas of the new green complexes to function as intended. Consistency from hole to hole was strong, and the renovated infrastructure should provide the course with the ability to maintain the firm and fast playing characteristics necessary for the new architecture to reach its full potential. Character – The renovation has given TPC Craig Ranch a stronger and more identifiable architectural character while retaining the foundation of Tom Weiskopf’s original routing. Rowlett Creek now plays a much more prominent role, particularly on holes such as 3, 9, 12, 14, 15 and 18, where fairways or greens were shifted closer to natural hazards. The introduction of large waste areas, including “Hell’s Full Acre” on the 5th, gives several holes greater individuality and helps establish a more distinct visual identity. The redesigned greens further separate holes from one another through concepts ranging from the modified Biarritz 4th and Lion’s Mouth-inspired 6th to the Redan-influenced 7th and reverse-Redan characteristics of the 17th. While the original routing remains recognizable, the renovation has given individual holes considerably stronger identities and made TPC Craig Ranch more distinctive than it was previously."
Read More2026
Review
“My memory obviously isn't perfect - especially since it was over a decade ago when I last played here - but I think the recent modifications improved this course considerably. I found the old green complexes fairly mundane, but there are some really good greens and greenside areas now. Numbers 11 and 13 stick out for sure. This is not a tough driving course, but the second shots can be demanding. I hit 5 iron or more into 3 par 4s, and I hit it decent with driver. We played the ~6700 yard tees. Lots more elevation change than I expected/reembered as well. Greens rolled true, and had some severe contours. It is pretty obvious by the scores of the top 5-10 finishers that the tour limited the slope of the areas where the holes were cut. Tough to imagine 30 under winning if they put the pins in imaginative places. Overall, I think they should be pretty happy with the changes."
Read More2026
Review
“The significant change here is the slopes added to the greens. They can be significant and have added to the difficulty for the average player. Most notable is that, while they have significant slopes and tiers in the greens, they are generally flat in the four feet or so around typical pin placements. So, good players will still make a number of putts on these greens, even from length. Bunkers have been renovated as well. The entire effort is well done and will add to the enjoyment for members, especially once the new greens settle into normal firmness. One example of the greens improving the course would be the sixth hole. It can be changed in its difficulty depending on the pin location. The front right is a very small target while front left and back middle would be easier for the average player. There are several such examples with some false fronts and sides as well."
Read More2026
Review
“The significant change here is the slopes added to the greens. They can be significant and have added to the difficulty for the average player. Most notable is that, while they have significant slopes and tiers in the greens, they are generally flat in the four feet or so around typical pin placements. So, good players will still make a number of putts on these greens, even from length. Bunkers have been renovated as well. The entire effort is well done and will add to the enjoyment for members, especially once the new greens settle into normal firmness. One example of the greens improving the course would be the sixth hole. It can be changed in its difficulty depending on the pin location. The front right is a very small target while front left and back middle would be easier for the average player. There are several such examples with some false fronts and sides as well."
Read More2026
Review
“The renovations at Craig Ranch are substantive and significant, although the overall routing is largely unchanged. The bunkering is better (more interesting, probably more penal), and the green complexes are definitely more interesting with most greens having distinct tiers which reward an ideally placed approach shot. A definite defense of the course is the wind, which is typically present on this relatively flat, open property. Despite the challenges, which are significant, it is still a fun course to play, with good golf rewarded with good chances to score."
Read More2026
Review
“The renovations at Craig Ranch are substantive and significant, although the overall routing is largely unchanged. The bunkering is better (more interesting, probably more penal), and the green complexes are definitely more interesting with most greens having distinct tiers which reward an ideally placed approach shot. A definite defense of the course is the wind, which is typically present on this relatively flat, open property. Despite the challenges, which are significant, it is still a fun course to play, with good golf rewarded with good chances to score."
Read More2026
Review
“Large course with a good variety of holes in excellent playing condition. A good selection of tees enables most golfers to enjoy their round without piling up a high score. Water, bunkers and undulating greens are its main defense, but all can be managed by selecting less direct routes on its wide hole corridors. Private, upscale; PGA Tour site for the Byron Nelson event."
Read More2026
Review
“Green complexes are varied and fun. Renovation is an unqualified success, but routing and aesthetic issues remain. It's gotten significantly better, but there's a ceiling."
Read More2026
Review
“Much improved green complexes and overall turf conditions post renovation has resulted in improved challenge, aesthetics, shot options, and layout variety. This solidly places Craig Ranch in the mid tier best in state for Texas."
Read More2026
Review
“Tom Weiskopf design that presently hosts The Byron Nelson Classic. Rowlett Creek comes into play on 14 different holes and is the predominant feature on the course. The staff was most welcoming. Always fun to see how your game stacks up against the pros. Definitely play here if invited."
Read More2023
