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Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort

4.8
809 Reviews (809)
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4.8
809 Reviews (809)
5 Stars
593
4 Stars
162
3 Stars
32
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.7
Tooltip Information Icon
96.5%
Recommend this course
764 out of 809 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
24 Reviews (24)
5 Stars
21
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.7
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.5
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
4.9
95.8%
Recommend this course
23 out of 24 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
33 Reviews (33)
5 Stars
27
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.7
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.8
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.0%
Recommend this course
32 out of 33 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
Hot Deals at Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff
Sat 7/18

No Hot Deals for this date.

Sun 7/19
$4548
$4199 + $349 fee
Mon 7/20
$4548
$4199 + $349 fee
Tue 7/21
$4548
$4199 + $349 fee
Wed 7/22
sold
Thu 7/23
sold
Fri 7/24
sold
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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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12 rounds of waived fees
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Reviews

4.8
809 Reviews (809)

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
ArnoldCastro
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
javier94
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Great looking course

Great looking course but the piece of play was not that enjoyable.. there’s people playing 5 mins before you amd 5 mins after you.. makes u rush but cant rush too much it was weird. Other wise one of the nicest courses I’ve been too

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
timstevens
Played On
Reviews 3
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
United08
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
u000003484281
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

One of the best

Love everything about this place, including the price, My rate was cheaper than the rate I paid for JW Marriott course but was much nicer.

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
u000005082586
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u688430676
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
u000006407684
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Excellent golf course!

This was the second round I've played in the Palm Springs area and Desert Willow did not disappoint. There are a lot of big-name courses in the area and I was definitely considering them but after getting a recommendation from a friend to play Firecliff, I jumped on a Hot Deal from Golf Now and was completely blown away by everything! The staff was amazing, the practice facilities are perfect and the course was in excellent shape and is challenging to say the least. With so many courses to choose from in Palm Springs, it's tough as an out-of-owner to know where to play. I can tell you based on my experience, if you want some great golf at an affordable price, be sure to add Desert Willow to your must-play list!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
mharr26
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u000001485403
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

one of the best

This course never disappoints, course was in excellent shape, price was the same as other courses in area, although other course greens were deplorable, firecliff's greens were great. The staff, as always, were very friendly and helpful. This is one of our top 3 courses in the area

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
JungleBob888
Played On
Reviews 62
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

Perfect condition!

As good condition as possible, everything was perfect, even the heat was reasonable at 95°.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Themutt60
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Lost in Palm Desert

Beautiful golf course, we would give the course five stars, I would highly recommend not using the directions from the Golfnow app make you call ahead and get the address!!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Allen2343344
Played On
Reviews 57
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Excellent Course

The Fire Cliff course is scenic and in great shape. Challenging but not tricked out

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Themutt60
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Lost in Palm Desert

Beautiful golf course wonderful staff, the only downside I would say is using directions from the golf now app. It took us too a neighbor not even close to the golf course and nearly made us late!!!! If you get a chance go play the course but don’t use the golf now app for directions.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
anc
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
richlauer
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
Default User Avatar
Schellshome
Played On
Reviews 12
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
barrylindgren
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Barry & Wendy

Gorgeous course!!! Beautiful views, awesome and very challenging layout, one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf i have ever played.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
noahpalacios104
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Stelkar

A stellar experience from start to finish. The course asks you to golf for 18 holes. A blast.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
babyballin7
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
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