TPC Craig Ranch has been the host of the PGA Tour event now known as The CJ Cup Byron Nelson since 2021 and will serve this week as the venue where world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler attempts to record his first win of the 2025 season.
This Tom Weiskopf design isn't the most inspiring or inventive layout in the world, but it is very long and presents enough difficult holes to keep PGA Tour players on their toes while also offering a lot of birdie opportunities.
TPC Craig Ranch is a brawny, scenic golf course, but lacks exciting green complexes and true creativity. So, let's break it down a bit.
Memorable Holes: 5.5
TPC Craig Ranch has a number of indistinct par-4s that blend together throughout the course of a round. There are a few highlights, though.
For instance, the 564-yard par-5 ninth is a beautiful and well-constructed hole. The river that winds through the property cuts through this dogleg left twice, running diagonally across the front of the green and giving players something to think about as they go for the green in two.
Interest: 6.0
Similar to the previous section, TPC Craig Ranch is not special in the "interest" category; however, there are a handful of holes to call out.
The par-4 12th is one of the best holes on the course. Measuring 493 yards, this brute is narrow off the tee with an approach shot that plays steeply uphill to a very narrow green guarded by bunkers to the right and a deep drop off to the left.
The par-4 14th is also an exciting hole; it is 362 yards on the card but will likely play much shorter than that for most tournament rounds, so it can be driveable. The upper tier of the green is surrounded by bunkers on the right side, and the lower-left tier is guarded by a pond short and left.
Par-3s: 5.5
The par-3s at TPC Craig Ranch are just okay, though most of them are quite difficult. The 219-yard fourth plays across a valley to a green guarded by a giant bunker to the left.
The difficult 232-yard seventh also plays across a creek to a green guarded by two front-left bunkers with a tiny section that protrudes at the back left.
The 216-yard 15th is guarded tightly by a pond left of the green and two large bunkers to the right.
Lastly, the 17th measures only 147 yards for this tournament, and the elevated green is surrounded by bunkers and set in a stadium where fans can enjoy the action from all angles.
Difficulty: 6.0
As I discuss on my podcast, Linksworms, the difficulty of TPC Craig Ranch comes from its length. Many of the green complexes are not overly treacherous, so this is compensated for by requiring players to hit mid to long irons into the green on numerous par-4s.
There are five par-4s over 490 yards, with two measuring over 500 yards. However, there are still a few holes where the architecture makes life difficult.
The par-4 second measures 466 yards and features a very shallow green angled to the right and guarded by bunkers, thick rough, and a shaved run-off area long and left.
Finish: 3.0
The final three holes at TPC Craig Ranch are, for lack of a more eloquent way to state it, lame. There is a distinct lack of drama and memorability compared with other championship-caliber courses around the world and on the PGA Tour.
The par-4 16th is difficult as it measures 492 yards and has an extremely narrow fairway. The aforementioned 17th has a deep green but plays very easy because it is so short.
The 18th is a 552-yard par-5 that doglegs right off the tee. The second shot plays over a small river to a kidney-shaped green guarded by front bunkers on both sides. This is another easy birdie opportunity to finish the round.
Overall: 5.20
For the criteria used to determine these ratings, please click here.