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Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort

4.7
796 Reviews (796)
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4.7
796 Reviews (796)
5 Stars
581
4 Stars
161
3 Stars
32
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
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95.0%
Recommend this course
751 out of 796 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
14 Reviews (14)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.6
92.9%
Recommend this course
13 out of 14 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
46 Reviews (46)
5 Stars
38
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
95.7%
Recommend this course
44 out of 46 reviews
Read Reviews
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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.

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Par 72
Length 7056 yards
Slope 141
Rating 74.1

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.

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Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff
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Satellite Layout
Tees
Tee Par Length Rating Slope
Black 72 7056 yards 74.1 141
Purple 72 6676 yards 72.1 136
White 72 6173 yards 69.9 128
White (W) 72 6173 yards 75.7 140
Tan 72 5642 yards 67.5 120
Tan (W) 72 5642 yards 72.5 133
Green (W) 72 5079 yards 69.4 127
Green 72 5079 yards 65.0 112
Track Rounds
Scorecard
Scorecard for Firecliff
Metrics:
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Black M: 74.3/140 W: 80.7/147 535 410 194 446 429 331 569 155 455 3524 435 452 427 550 176 332 420 204 536 3532 7056
Purple M: 72.5/135 W: 78.6/142 516 394 168 424 400 310 548 138 437 3335 421 427 395 523 163 302 405 192 513 3341 6676
Purple/White M: 71.4/132 W: 77.2/139 516 364 168 387 380 310 520 138 408 3191 393 396 371 523 163 302 405 170 513 3236 6427
White M: 70.2/129 W: 75.8/136 489 364 139 387 380 279 520 119 408 3085 393 396 371 502 141 279 368 170 468 3088 6173
White/Tan M: 69.0/126 W: 74.3/133 489 338 139 352 341 279 510 119 373 2940 357 362 338 502 141 279 368 152 468 2967 5907
Tan M: 67.8/123 W: 72.8/130 447 338 127 352 341 264 510 107 373 2859 357 362 338 454 119 258 332 152 411 2783 5642
Tan/Green M: 66.3/119 W: 71.0/126 417 338 127 313 304 264 465 107 323 2658 357 329 338 425 119 258 297 152 385 2660 5318
Green M: 65.2/116 W: 69.7/123 417 312 107 313 304 233 465 82 323 2556 323 329 311 425 97 227 297 129 385 2523 5079
Handicap 11 9 15 1 5 13 7 17 3 2 6 8 12 16 18 10 4 14
Par 5 4 3 4 4 4 5 3 4 36 4 4 4 5 3 4 4 3 5 36 72
Handicap (W) 3 11 15 9 7 13 1 17 5 10 8 12 2 16 14 4 18 6

Course Details

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

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - included in green fees
GPS Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

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

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Discover Welcomed
Metal Spikes Allowed No

Food & Beverage

Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities

Accolades

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+ Annual
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Reviews

4.7
796 Reviews (796)

What Golfers Are Saying

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

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Recommended
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Default User Avatar
RichardHolloway
Played On
Reviews 19
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Gary7328005
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
barker10
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
tdewaziers
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Perfect (but pace of play was pretty slow in my opinion, still a 5*)

Loved playing this course, I'll be back hoping the pace of play will be better

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
u807186831
Played On
Reviews 1
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Poor experience at Firecliff

If the Marshals managed the play on -course as aggressively as they push you to the 1st tee, play would have taken 30 minutes less. Poor course management, no putting green to use ahead of play, and no food seevices following made this a very disappointing experience for my foursome. I never write negative reviews, but the overbooking of the courses and catering to a big social function - rather than the golfers who pid full freight was a ripp off.

Conditions Good
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
esbarton
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
clayjok
Played On
Reviews 58
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

A Palm Springs Gem

Played 3 courses this past weekend, and Desert Willow (Firecliff) was the group favorite. Pro shop staff, bar staff, beverage cart, starter...everyone was great! Course conditions were outstanding. Highly recommended regardless of where you're staying in the Palm Desert area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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lang6
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Professionalism

The professionalism of the course and staff were fantastic and I highly recommend this course and can’t wait to play it again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u810782988
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Golfnutt71
Played On
Reviews 33
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Desert fun

Definitely a great track with some good holes and views!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u945994059
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
u484286885
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u314161216634
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
10567899
Played On
Reviews 36
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course - Lousy Cart

Unfortunately the GPS system in cart did not work. Was either turned off ‘with no evidence of on/off switch) or was defective. Should have been checked before provided to customer.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
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Default User Avatar
95K3NB017xBuUFlVWKF2
Played On
Reviews 6
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Soberano
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Immaculate

I have played all over the world and this is a world class golf course! I was surprised to see so many signature holes although I'm sure the course only has one? I'm on holiday and found out about this course from a locale golf-head. Wow! I wish I know about this jewel! I will be back and plan to play the other course as I played the Firecliff track.....Go play

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
kentigern
Played On
Reviews 10
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
savedgolfer
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Can't Miss

Desert Willow is a must stop every time I visit the Coachella Valley, which has is four or five times per year. The Firecliff never.

disappoints. Sporty layout and well groomed, with tricky greens and great views.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
shel3182017
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
lpnull
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Top 10 Course

Desert Willow Firecliff is an amazing course - challenging but fair - landscaping is beautiful with the mountains as a stunning backdrop. Always in great shape. Pace of play was a bit slow & no ranger - group ahead of us was slow & kept parking in front of the green, slowing play further. Pretty pricey for this pace of play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
15 16 17 18 19
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