If you’ve ever stood on the first tee at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, you know that the air feels a bit different than it does in Dallas. It’s wide open. Rowlett Creek snakes through the property, and while the views are great, the lack of heavy tree cover means you’re essentially at the mercy of the North Texas sky. Most people think they can just check a generic DFW forecast and know what to expect. They’re usually wrong.
Texas weather is a fickle beast.
Specifically, TPC Craig Ranch weather is defined by its exposure. When the PGA Tour rolls into town for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in early May, the players aren't just fighting each other; they're fighting the transition from spring to summer. It's the peak of storm season. One minute you’re applying SPF 50 in 85-degree heat, and the next, a dryline is pushing through from the west, bringing 30 mph gusts and a sudden temperature drop.
The Wind Tunnel Effect on Rowlett Creek
You can’t talk about this course without talking about the wind. Because TPC Craig Ranch sits in a bit of a low-lying basin relative to some of the surrounding McKinney suburbs, the wind tends to funnel along the creek beds. It’s rarely a "steady" breeze. It’s gusty.
If the wind is out of the south—which is the dominant direction in May—the par-5 18th becomes a completely different animal.
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Pros will tell you that a 15 mph wind here feels like 25 mph because there’s nothing to break it up. According to data from recent tournaments, for every 8.6 mph increase in average wind speed, the field’s average score usually balloons by over a full stroke. That’s the difference between making the cut and heading home early.
Why the Rain Actually Helps (Sometimes)
It sounds counterintuitive. Why would rain help a golfer?
In 2025, we saw a massive weather delay during the second round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Lightning halted play for over six hours. When the players finally got back out there, the "lift, clean, and place" rule was in effect.
Here is the secret: TPC Craig Ranch is a "bomber's paradise" when it's dry because the fairways are Zoysia. When they get firm, the ball rolls forever. But when the Texas storms drench the course, the greens soften up.
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- Soft greens = Aggressive shots.
- Damp fairways = More control.
- High humidity = Shorter ball flight.
Ironically, the scores often go lower after a rainstorm because the greens become "dartboards." Players stop worrying about the ball rolling off the back of the firm putting surfaces and start hunting pins.
Temperature Swings and the "Heavy Air"
McKinney weather in May is famously unstable. You might start a morning round at 62°F and finish in 90°F heat. This isn't just about personal comfort; it's about physics.
Cold air is denser. A ball hit in 60-degree weather simply won't travel as far as one hit in 90-degree weather. Golfers often "club up" when the temperature drops, but at Craig Ranch, the humidity adds another layer of complexity. High humidity actually makes the air less dense (water vapor is lighter than dry air), which can lead to some confusing distances if you aren't paying attention to your launch monitor.
Honestly, the caddies at TPC Craig Ranch have the hardest job in the state. They have to calculate the "effective yardage" while the sun is constantly ducking behind fast-moving clouds, changing the air density by the minute.
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What to Pack for a Day at the Ranch
If you're heading out to watch a tournament or play a guest round, don't be the person who only brings a polo. You'll regret it.
- A lightweight windbreaker: Even if it’s 80 degrees, those 20 mph gusts on the back nine will chill you once you've been sweating.
- Solid footwear: The area around Rowlett Creek can get muddy fast. If there’s been a storm in the last 48 hours, those grass walkways become slick.
- High-quality sunscreen: There is very little shade on the spectator paths. The Texas sun hits harder when there’s no tree canopy to hide under.
Managing the McKinney Storm Season
The real danger for TPC Craig Ranch weather isn't just a light shower. It’s the severe stuff. McKinney is right in the heart of "Tornado Alley's" spring playground.
Tournament organizers keep a meteorologist on-site for a reason. In North Texas, a thunderstorm isn't just rain; it's often accompanied by "dryline" activity that can produce hail or sudden, dangerous lightning. If you see the sirens going off in Collin County, the course clears out in minutes.
It’s just part of the deal when you play in Texas.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Visit
- Check the "RealFeel" instead of the temperature: In McKinney, the humidity and wind can make 80 degrees feel like 72 or 88.
- Watch the flags, not the trees: Because the trees are sparse and often protected by the creek banks, they don't always show the true wind speed at the height of your ball's flight.
- Plan for the "Afternoon Build": Storms in May often build up after 2:00 PM once the ground has heated up. If you're booking a tee time, the early bird truly does get the best (and safest) conditions.
- Factor in the Zoysia factor: If the weather has been humid and wet, the Zoysia grass will play "sticky." Don't expect the same 30 yards of roll you get in the August heat.
Keep an eye on the radar, stay hydrated, and remember that at TPC Craig Ranch, the weather is the 19th hole—it's always part of the conversation.