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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
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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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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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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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Fun

Played with my two grandsons and we had a great time. Only problem was duo to the twosome ahead of us , they were very slow due to playing more than one ball each and we were in a rush to beat sun set. We just managed the last two holes but was not comfortable in the darkness. Was not managements fault but rudeness on the part of the group ahead of us.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Brilliant course

Absolutely stunning layout.

Top condition on the fairways and greens.

One of the best Inhave played over 25 years of playing golf.

Firecliff.

I played mountain view last time and it was heavenly as well

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Nice track

Layout is very good and challenging. Greens rolled good. Each green had plenty of breaks. Disappointing that the bunkers were not raked and a couple of tee boxes little ragged. Other than that recommend it.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

When you pay more than $100 you expect a course in very good shape !

I’ve been playing this course every year I come to Palm Spring and every year the 2 courses are less and less taking care of. They are sitting on their reputation...

Conditions Poor
Value Poor
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
Commented on 01/08/2019

Certainly does not rate a "1" A little disappointing perhaps, but I played on 1/1, and found the course to be absolutely beautiful! First time, and I was impressed.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

SLOW!!

No fun to play a hard course and wait 20 minutes on every shot. If you like playing a 6 hour round behind a bunch of beginners, then this is your course. Left after 5 holes. Waste of time and money.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Layout Fair
Friendliness Fair
Pace Poor
Amenities Poor
Played On
Reviews 24
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

Desert Willow - As Nice as the cool side of the Pillow

Upon arrival, early morning and in the dark, my clubs were put on a cart and waiting for me after I checked in. And speaking of checking in, Brett in the pro shop is super friendly and helpful. I checked in outside and they gave me a PAGER!? Yes, they give you a pager when you go to the range, and it buzzes and tells you when to report to the first tee! Range was perfect, and it is turf not mats. Course was just opened after the overseed and it was perfect. not a bad lie all day, and greens were pure, thought a little slow. fun day, definitely one of the top courses in the area, and the views are stunning. Not as majestic as Bighorn, but you will be pleased you came here to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
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 Good
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
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 Advanced
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
Played On
Reviews 10
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Great round

First day open after overseeding. Course was in pristine condition, although the greens were still a bit slow. Pace was great - finished in just over 4 hours. Highly recommended.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 84
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 500 Contributor
British Columbia Advisor
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Amazing Course Terrible Staff

The course itself is fantastic and I would highly recommend it

Every hole is a challenge and no 2 holes alike

By far the best conditions so far this golf trip Tee to Green in great shape and it's mid September

The Lavender Tees at 6179 yards are the longest 6179 course you'll ever play Fairways are uphill and unless you have a long carry little to no roll

The staff from arrival didn't even care that I was there, made no effort to provide guidance

Had to just wander down to the tee on my own so started somewhat ticked off. After the round wow what an inconvenience I was

Was able to catch up to a single George from LV playing in the Golf Channel Am tournament

Great guy made the round more enjoyable

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Fair
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 53
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great course and facility

I played the Mountain View course earlier in the week and loved it. The Firecliff course was equally as good. Great conditions. Excellent challenge. I would recommend both Desert Willow courses.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1001
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1 Contributor
California Advisor
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Firecliff

Rode the Purple tees (6676/72.1/136) in 2H, 45M midday using Forelinx. The weather was clear, calm and around 110.

The tees were mostly lush. Level with few divots.

The fairways were lush, firm and nice to play from.

The rough is mostly lush and mowed down, Good POP rough, not penal. Generally nice to play from.

The green side traps had good quality white sand and were decently maintained. The waste bunkers were firm and not as well maintained as the green side traps.

The Bermuda greens were firm, somewhat bumpy and medium speed.

The customer service is always excellent here from when you drop your clubs off out front to when you pick them up out front. The all grass driving range is included and above average. Nice chipping area. Drink cart out making the rounds. Good GPS on carts. Plenty of ice/water stations on the course. Definitely recommended.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 10
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Palm Desert Getaway

Course is in excellent condition Andrea pace of play is very good !!

A must play course if your in the Palm Desert area !!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great

I thought Best golf course in Palm Springs area in my opinion was Mission Hills Country club.

I think Firecliff is now my Best.

Great Great round even we play 112 F°

I can handle it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Course is in excellent shape, little tuff but had a great time, thanks

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good course

Very good course for all golfers...beginners to advanced. Wide fairways and not too difficult

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 189
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

4.44768 stars

Drank enough water for 25 people! Thanks for the plentiful ice and water machines. Beautiful course... don't know why they call it firecliff but OK

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
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