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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
816 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

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)

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Rating Index
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4.8
4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 816 reviews
96.6%
Recommend
816
Reviews
  • 5 Stars
  • 4 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 2 Stars
  • 1 Stars
  • Conditions
    4.8
  • Value
    4.6
  • Layout
    4.9
  • Friendliness
    4.8
  • Pace
    4.3
  • 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
Tshuvah22
Reviews 12
Handicap 20-24
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Great Course

Desert Willow is a fantastic course. I am a fairly new golfer and my handicap is 25. I played a little worse than normal, and played with2 other people who know the course well and they were patient and kind. The staff is unbelievably friendly, helpful, kind and safety is a priority with them. Can’t wait to play there again!

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
Default User Avatar
u314161164307
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

One of the best

This is one of the best courses I have ever played, public or private. So impressed with the layout and the extraordinary setting. This place should be private and thankfully it’s one that all of the public can enjoy for a reasonable price in Palm Desert. Loved it.

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
u314161198732
Review 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Twice a year
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Difficulty 3.0
Default User Avatar
u000006073836
Reviews 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Really gorgeous course

Was having a really good round but then the course started just looking prettier and prettier and I got distracted by the beauty of it all. All I can say is it is most definitely a must play if you are in the area.

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
Difficulty 3.0
Default User Avatar
KyleHoule
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played
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
u975607183
Reviews 37
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Excellent second course

Not as difficult as fire cliff but still a track worth playing. Excellent condition, great pace of play. Do it if you get the chance.

First Time Playing
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 4.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Default User Avatar
Bill6128739
Review 1
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 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Featured
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Default User Avatar
jamesmango
Review 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Beautiful Course

Course is in great shape, staff was very friendly, challenging but fun hole design and very good pace of play. Highly recommend playing Desert Willow

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
Precedent
Reviews 6
Recommended
Played

Check the forecast.

Everything was great, course, staff, etc. But VERY windy. Check the forecast!

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
u178541303
Review 1
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 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Default User Avatar
u376370191
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times 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 4.0
Default User Avatar
u527637026
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Favorite Desert course

Firecliff is always a great play. Beautiful desert course, tough test, great condition, first class facilities. I will always come back as one of our favorite places to play.

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 5.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
u000005823775
Reviews 2
Recommended
Played
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
4.0
4.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 4.0
Layout 5.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Difficulty 3.0
Default User Avatar
dsewell23
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

Song Title : Your simply the best!

as the song says, its simply the best. The range, the course, the parking lot, the valet, the pro shop. the food the beverage cart runners. This might be the best course I have played. and I have played JW I have played westin mission hills, I have played Classic CLub, and trump national in the last month. This one gets them all. We played Firecliff and it played very long from the lavendars ( I would play the light blue tees next time) but a perfectly manicured course in all aspects and is pure and true.

Book a tee time, boast to your friends and go enjoy the round!

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 5.0
Featured
Find out more
Default User Avatar
dsewell23
Reviews 15
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
Recommended
Played

1 best course

Simply put, best course so far I’ve played and I’ve played em all. Spend the money, and enjoy the round

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
Chatboggie
Review 1
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 4.0
Amenities 5.0
Default User Avatar
wesbrash
Reviews 29
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times 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
Default User Avatar
u000005545110
Reviews 26
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
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 5.0
Amenities 4.0
Default User Avatar
wvelazqu
Review 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
Recommended
Played

Amazing for a muni course

This course was in amazing shape for January. And it’s Palm Desert’s muni course, which played like a $150 course. No one around us because we teed off at 1:40 and we did t get 17 &18 in. No matter. Was wonderful. I would come back here any day of the week.

Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Conditions 5.0
Value 5.0
Layout 4.0
Friendliness 5.0
Pace 5.0
Default User Avatar
u314161070000
Reviews 8
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
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