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Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort

38-995 Desert Willow Dr, Palm Desert, California 92260, Riverside County
(760) 346-7060, (760) 346-0015
Course Website
4.8
809 Reviews
Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort - Book a Tee Time
Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort
A view of a hole from Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort. Desert Willow Golf Resort
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Clubhouse
A view of the clubhouse at Desert Willow Golf Resort. Desert Willow Golf Resort
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Driving range
A view of the driving range at Firecliff Course from Desert Willow Golf Resort
Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff: #17
A view of the 17th green at Firecliff Course from Desert Willow Golf Resort
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Clubhouse
A view of the clubhouse at Firecliff Course from Desert Willow Golf Resort
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About

A lot of courses say they're all about nature. Desert Willow Firecliff Resort in Cathedral City actually lives it. Natural desert plants are the star of the show here. So much so that the course was featured on the front cover of Smithsonian magazine.

Bobcats, coyotes and desert rabbits have free run of the place, adding another dimension to any round. When you see a bobcat out in the distance of the desert brush, you're not chasing after that golf ball. No matter how much cash you plunked down for the latest in long-distance technology.

Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry designed Desert Willow and it offers a good example of how you become a rising name in the golf architect game. The sand sculpting demands attention from the first hole.

The course looks intimidating to play. With a 138 slope rating, it plays that way too.

Holes 18
Par 72
Length 7056 yds
Rating 74.1
Slope 141
Type Resort
Course Layout
Tees
Track Rounds
Scorecard
Course scorecard and layout
Hot Deals at Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff
Wed 8/19

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Thu 8/20
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Fri 8/21
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Sat 8/22
$4848
$4499 + $349 fee
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sold
Mon 8/24
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Course Details

Rentals & Services

Golf Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS
Golf Clubs

Practice & Instruction

Driving Range
Golf School Academy Yes - "Palm Desert Golf Academy"
Teaching Pro
Pitching & Chipping Area
Putting Green

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse
Meeting Facilities
Banquet Facilities
Year Built 1997
Fairways Bermuda Grass
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect(s) Dr. Michael Hurdzan (1997) John Cook Dana Fry (1997)

Awards & Recognition

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Rating Index
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4.8
4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 809 reviews
96.4%
Recommend
809
Reviews
  • 5 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 2 Stars
  • 1 Stars
  • Conditions
    4.8
  • Value
    4.5
  • Layout
    4.9
  • Friendliness
    4.8
  • Pace
    4.2
  • Amenities
    4.7
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Firecliff's layout earns top marks, with true-rolling greens, well-kept fairways, and a design that opens and closes on memorable par 5s. Staff consistently go above and beyond, delivering a professionally run experience from bag drop through the final hole.

Rating Index

Golfers Often Mention

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 11
Patio Dining 8
19th Hole Scenic Views 7
Course Challenges:
Bunkers 16
Water Hazards 13
Undulating Greens 10
Best For:
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 12
A Weekend Splurge 11
Advanced Golfers 11
Location is:
At a Resort 11
Worth the Drive 11
Convenient to the City 10

Golfer Photos

Golfer Reviews

Default User Avatar
Deejillini
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u054910319
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u314162834378
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u314163233597
Reviews 5
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played

Awesome course. Bunkers need more sand.

More sand in the bukers. Other than that, the course is top-notch.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
whangcpa
Reviews 8
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Excellent all around

The course was an immaculate shape. We played in the early afternoon and finished in 4 hours and 10 minutes.

We will be back when we visit the desert.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u000006669094
Reviews 25
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Top notch facility

Great conditions, well run operation from bag drop to pro shop to starter and beyond. A+

Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
RGBB760C14C3C8FC063E
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Featured
Find out more
Default User Avatar
DanielHo
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played

Perfect!

Great course, very friendly staff. A perfect experience from A-Z. Golf at its best

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
jimadametz
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
Russ5321
Reviews 22
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Impeccable

Wow, Firecliff is an amazing course from tee thru green, this is a Top 3 in the valley from my experience. Great layout; great practice area, excellent service. This is a must play! Good pace at 4 hrs.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u5230750
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
ruedahenry
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Change of course

This is a very nice course. The amenities are good for practice and play. I was paired up with some nice people and made the round pleasant.

First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u000007129908
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u442682711
Review 1
Recommended
Played

Nice course, Great Pace of Plan

Really nice course. Price is a little high, but the pace of play was excellent and the staff was very friend. I would play there again.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 3.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Featured
Find out more
Default User Avatar
u5230750
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u5230750
Reviews 26
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
k6msESfBuTrZ6CThxlI5
Reviews 5
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
Terrykimm
Review 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Played

Great Course poorly marshalled

The group in front of us was easily 2 holes behind the group on front of them at the turn. When i pointed this out to the guy outside the clubhouse, he checked his screen and confirmed. Said he would send someone out to speed the slow playing group up. Nothing ever happened.

I'd rather play a mediocre course in 4 hours then a great course in 5 hours. We had this issue twice in the same week at Desert Willow.

Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
3.0
3.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 1.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 4.0
Default User Avatar
QLcGj1bROgTl8ZFAMsxC
Review 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 3.0
Default User Avatar
u314160960094
Reviews 3
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
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