Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort
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.
Course Details
Rentals & Services
Practice & Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
Available Facilities
Awards & Recognition
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Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses(2017 #23)
Golfer Photos
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Photo submitted by u000001545303 on 05/08/2025
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Photo submitted by Nick4694947 on 12/24/2024
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Photo submitted by jubooz15 on 10/11/2024
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Photo submitted by u7203964 on 03/08/2024
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Photo submitted by u747905328 on 02/07/2024
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Photo submitted by u747905328 on 02/07/2024
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Photo submitted by u747905328 on 02/07/2024
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Photo submitted by AYz660v9iERBKLuzQlr9 on 09/27/2023
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Photo submitted by Boone43atc on 09/17/2023
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Photo submitted by Magoo6047 on 05/17/2023
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View from the club house Photo submitted by Magoo6047 on 05/13/2023
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Photo submitted by Peter2461971 on 04/23/2023
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 06/25/2022
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 06/25/2022
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 06/25/2022
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Photo submitted by AroundtheHorn on 06/25/2022
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Photo submitted by Bradnwendyred06 on 02/03/2022
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Photo submitted by adrianeschwartz on 12/16/2021
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Photo submitted by u000002246008 on 04/08/2021
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Photo submitted by u000006073836 on 02/18/2021
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Photo submitted by wvelazqu on 01/09/2021
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Photo submitted by wvelazqu on 01/09/2021
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Photo submitted by wvelazqu on 01/09/2021
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Photo submitted by u698978221 on 05/28/2019
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Photo submitted by Debikitts on 05/16/2019
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Photo submitted by Richard4870335 on 04/16/2019
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Photo submitted by Richard4870335 on 04/16/2019
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Photo submitted by Richard4870335 on 04/16/2019
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Photo submitted by Richard4870335 on 04/16/2019
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Photo submitted by Richard4870335 on 04/16/2019
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Photo submitted by Richard4870335 on 04/16/2019
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There's a Fairway out there Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/16/2018
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18 Par 5 Beautiful hole Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/16/2018
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Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/16/2018
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Beep Beep Photo submitted by GREGCGOLFER on 09/16/2018
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Photo submitted by Budsap on 07/03/2018
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Photo submitted by Budsap on 07/03/2018
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Photo submitted by Budsap on 07/03/2018
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 04/22/2017
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Photo submitted by hacksalot03 on 04/22/2017
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Brilliant views from every tee. Photo submitted by Jsratike on 12/31/2016
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Give it a shot Photo submitted by u091450548 on 09/06/2015
Golfer Reviews
Completely awesome golf course
Completely awesome golf course, That I would recommend to anyone. I played a lot of courses in the desert, including all of the public PGA West courses. This course is comparable to any of them. It was in wonderful shape when I played, and staff were nice. The greens ran true and fast, the fairways were nice and lush, in the rough was only partially penalizing. I certainly want to play again.
Amazing
Course was in absolutely perfect condition!
Great course
The course is in excellent condition. The greens are fast and hard so you do need to play the ball short, unless you can put plenty of spin on the ball. However the front of the greens is firm so bouncing the ball up works just fine.
The course plays easy for beginners, but is a challenge for better players. There is a great choice of tee lengths so all abilities can enjoy.
The only negative was the pace of play is a little slow so allow 4 1/2 + hours for your round.
One of the best in Palm Desert
This is a first class golf course. Beautiful and well maintained. My new favorite for Palm Desert
Great place!!!
First of all I want to thank Ryan S. The director of golf at the Desert Willow! Amazing business professional and absolutely has the facilities dialed in. He was gracious to pair me alike golf skill set folks and was the most enjoyable round of public play golf I have had in the last 10 years!!! The guys I joined play the tips as I do and it was an amazing round of golf. This facility and its entire staff are dedicated to making your golf experience epic! I use that term “epic” because it’s from the staff that greet you at the club drop to the staff that wipes your clubs after the round !!! The facility is amazing shape and if you don’t Fire Cliff or Mountain courses it’s is most definitely your loss. This course and all that is encompassing in your round is a word class golfing experience.
Great course
Fun, challenging and amazing views - I am a beginner and it was very playable for me and my foursome had good golfers in it and was challenging for them also
Brilliant
Fantastic layout set in a lush landscape. Each hole has its own character with some interesting bunker carries off the tee and green-wide water hazards. The course was extremely well manicured from tee to green. I just played Cascata outside Vegas and it felt like a letdown after Firecliff. I look forward to getting back there as soon as I can!
Desert Willows
We played Firecliff course and it was beautiful and difficult. The pace of play was good, except for my blowup holes and the twosome we were paired with were kind and friendly and patient. The staff was helpful, kind, friendly and seemed happy to work there! An A+ rating from me