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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
798 Reviews (798)
5 Stars
583
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
95.2%
Recommend this course
753 out of 798 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
13
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Pace
3.9
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.8%
Recommend this course
15 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
43 Reviews (43)
5 Stars
35
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.8
95.3%
Recommend this course
41 out of 43 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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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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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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Tee Time Protection

Reviews

4.7
798 Reviews (798)

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

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

This is a beautiful course this stunning views in every direction. The staff was incredibly helpful. I had read so many wonderful things about the restaurant and bar both of which close far to early. Everyone who had completed golf at 5pm wanted to go for a drink and even possibly to dinner but their hours are far to short.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A gem in the valley

Fine desert golf course in excellent condition. True and fast greens. Very friendly staff.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Played On
Reviews 1000
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1 Contributor
California Advisor
Previously Played
Cold weather
Used cart

Firecliff

Rode the Purples (6676/72.1/136) in 4H twilight with GK Guru's John, Brian and Dave. Great to play with a couple of out of the area guys I previously had enjoyable rounds with. We finished 18 in the dark due to a National Club Champion Tournament that ran over. We were unable to start until after 1 pm. Partly cloudy, fairly calm and around 60. Thanks to John for setting up and to Desert Willow for having the guru group out.

Tees mostly lush and level but after that tournament, were pretty chewed up for divots.

Fairways lush and good to play from.

Rough very lush. Ball sat up, not overly penal except it cost you roll. Usually good to chip out of but deep enough to be penal.

Greenside traps had good quality sand. Decently maintained, with a generous amount of thick sand. Waste bunkers were firm and not as well maintained as the greenside traps.

Large greens putted medium fast speed and were firm with some rollout.

Customer Service always excellent here from when you drop your clubs off out front to when you pick them up after the round. Nice GPS on upgraded carts that have ports for electronics. The all grass driving range is included and is excellent with a nice practice chipping area. Drink Cart around several times. Ice/water stations every few holes. Excellent and very fun layout to play. Recommended, IMO the best public course in the Greater Palm Springs area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 23
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

What a course

Wow what nice course, great condition, staff was great. Overall highly recommend this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 63
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great course in great condition and great scenery.

Can't say enough about this course. You have to expect to pay more for the premium conditions at this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 63
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Great Course...as good as it gets

Everything was premier. Cost is as expected for this level of course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 25+
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

First golf trip in Palm Springs

Our young man at the valet was excellent, when we told him it was our first time walked us to the clubhouse. Loved the timers to tell us when we were up.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 45
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Course in great shape due to overseed, pace sucked

Course was in great shape due to the overseeding. Only complaint about the course quality was the greens were really slow.

Pace overall sucked, no marshals on the course to do anything about it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Late tee times

Unfortunately we could only get out in the afternoon and we’re unable to finish 18 holes before dark. We tried to get on earlier but it was very busy.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice course

Firethorn had just been reseeded and was in great shape. Scenery is spectacular and the course well manicured. No tricks here - the golf course is tight in front of you the whole way. John Cook (Cookie as Lanny Wadkins says) did a nice job consulting with the architects.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great Municipal Course

For a municipal course this was great. We played the second day after overseeding and conditions were excellent. Bunkers could have had more sand and more difficulty. The course is straight forward and good for both lower handicap and higher handicap players. Water features added interest and some challenge to the holes. Scenery was beautiful as was the clubhouse. I would definitely recommend this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Spectacular layout, doesn’t get better… but maybe faster!

I had the opportunity to play the Firecliff course on Oct 23 first round in the morning just after opening from over-seeding. Absolutely stunning course and very well manicured. 10 out of 10 experience from the time I dropped my bag off to finishing up on the 19th hole.

I have no criticism, but would love to play the course again once the greens are cut low and rolled out and faster. Too 5 all time golf experiences today. Thanks foe the opportunity

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Pace of play

First several holes had a great pace, after 6th hole it was backed up. 2-3 groups on tee box

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 73
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Rough was very high and piles of grass clippings making it very difficult to get out of. Greens were OK- had a lot of rough spots and dead spots- hard to get a good read on the speed.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
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