Rankings: 

14th    

The Takeaway:  I liked TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas more than I thought I would. Some of the bias going in was based on the course's conservative ranking history in various publications paired with the generally uninspired architecture found at many TPC courses. However TPC Las Colinas charmed me with great course conditions, compelling water features, and a very fun back nine. It will never be in Texas' Top 10 courses, but is certainly one of the best public access options in the Dallas area.  Grade B

Quick Facts

Designer:  Jay Morrish in 1983 and D.A. Weibring/Steve Wolford in 2009

Cost:  $125.00 - $225.00 (includes cart) Click for current rates

Phone Number:  (972) 717-0700

Course Website:  Official Website - Visit TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas's official website by clicking on the link provided.

Directions:  Get here! - 4150 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, Texas  75038 – UNITED STATES

Photos:  See additional photos of TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas

What to Expect:  As the annual host to the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship on the PGA Tour, patrons have an opportunity to see how the course plays on TV prior to arriving in person. With its proximity to Dallas I expected there to be homes and office buildings in the surrounding area, however what I didn’t expect was the amount of wildlife I encountered during my round. From foxes to turtles to a wide variety of birds, the course manages to maintain some natural feeling in the middle of an urban area. Since the redesign in 2007, course conditions have significantly improved as has the overall feel of the course which makes it more spectator friendly and straightforward in its visuals. GPS carts accompany players and help quickly determine distances and offer critical information on tee shots and approaches. The brilliant white sand bunkers add visual appeal and contrast to the green grass and the water features throughout the course are very well conceived. The final two holes host the most dramatic water features on the property in a climatic finish where ponds and waterfalls can distract you from the task at hand. The club is private but offers outside play that can be arranged through the resort.

By the Numbers

Individual Hole Analysis

Signature Hole:  18th Hole – 429 Yard Par 4 – TPC Las Colinas finishes on an attractive dogleg left that plays around a pond that is highlighted by a series of waterfalls. Players that take aim at the bunker on the far side of the fairway or aim a bit left of it will likely find position 'A' in the fairway to set up an uphill approach to the green. The putting surface is protected by a bunker on the right and water on the left thus setting up one of the more demanding approach shots of the day. The back nine is the course's best side with the 17th and 18th holes providing an impressive climatic finish.

Best Par 3:  17th Hole – 198 Yards – This is the hole that everyone waits with anticipation to play when visiting TPC Four Seasons. This stunner plays downhill from the tee to a green that features water on the right, a bunker on the left, and a hill in the back that is set for bleachers when the PGA Tour is in town. This do or die shot over the water sets up the most memorable swing of the day with the result being what all your buddies will ask about afterwards.

Best Par 4:  14th Hole – 406 Yards – The 14th is a late dogleg right with an interesting view of a fairway disappearing into the water in the foreground and commercial buildings in the background. The tee shot plays downhill and longer players may elect to hit less than driver to avoid going into the pond located beyond the fairway. With no fairway left in play, the approach shot plays over the corner of the pond to a green protected by two bunkers on the back side and terrain sloping back to the water on the front and left.

Best Par 5:  16th Hole – 546 Yards – This uphill par five is the final three-shotter on the course and leads up to the dramatic finishing two holes. Nine bunkers are found on this dogleg hole with the most distinctive one being the center fairway bunker located 100 yards from the green. The bunker is strategically placed to contend with players laying up since most will not have a chance to reach this green in two. Plan on laying up to 125-140 yards to avoid that bunker as well as the subsequent ones behind it.

Birdie Time:  11th Hole – 323 Yard Par 4 – This is a flat out fun hole! Just 323 yards from the tips, this slight dogleg left driveable par four features water up the entire left side and demands players to decide how much of the water to contend with when picking their line off the tee since the box sits on the opposite side of the water. I love when you have to trust your gut and take a rip with the driver over precarious terrain, especially water. Players taking the safe route to the right will still have a great angle into the green and a chance to stick an approach close. During the the 2015 Byron Nelson PGA Tour event the 11th hole yielded 69 birdies and an eagle; more than any other hole except the par five 7th.

Bogey Beware:  3rd Hole – 528 Yard Par 4 – When played from the back tee this hole is an absolute bear and unreachable in two for many players. Water runs the length of the right side and a pair of fairway bunkers protect the landing zone on the left side. The heart shaped green is guarded by two more bunkers with the back right pin location being brutal to get close to. This is consistently one of the hardest, if not the hardest, hole during the Byron Nelson and posted more "others" on the PGA players' scorecards in 2015 than any other hole.