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.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Course Details
Rentals/Services
Practice/Instruction
Policies
Food & Beverage
RestaurantAvailable Facilities
Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet FacilitiesAccolades
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Golf Advisor: Top 25 Most Improved U.S. Golf Courses (2017 #23)
Reviews
Reviewer 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
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.
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
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.
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.
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 !!
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.
Course is in excellent shape, little tuff but had a great time, thanks
Good course
Very good course for all golfers...beginners to advanced. Wide fairways and not too difficult
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
Course in Great Shape for Middle of Summer
Played the course in 105* heat and 30% humidity. The course was in great shape for this time of year. Greens were excellent and there were only a few brown spots in a few of the fairways.
Staff was friendly as always and for $40, you can't beat this course ANYWHERE in the desert.
Desert Princess (Two Some)
Excellent day. This is the pristine course in the valley- DP, PGA WEST, Indian Wells. All top notch but the Pricess was fantastic.
Fun Challenging Course
Great layout and very challenging. Five tee boxes 7056, 6676, 6173, 5642 and 5079 yards with slopes of 141 to 112. Everyone should find their sweet spot. Very well maintained for being July in the desert. Undulating greens with plenty of room. First time at Firecliff, I will have to come back and try the easier Mt. View course next time! Very enjoyable course, nice facility. I can see why it's on most of the "best" public lists for the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area. Firecliff is now on my favorites list.....Indian Wells Players, Classic Club, SilverRock, Indian Canyons South, La Quinta Resort Mountain, Eagle Falls and PGA West Stadium.
Great course.
Would highly recomend. One of the nicest courses in the Coachella Valley.
Oasis in the desert!!
This was my first time playing this course and it was Amazing!! Had a great time, the Course was beautiful. So green all throughout. The layout was just the right amount of Challenging. The temperature does warm up Wuick out there, but they have plenty of water with ice to keep you cool.
Being an Intermediate player on this course it looked intimidating at first but was nice and forgiving when it was needed. The staff was great and the Practice Facility was just as beautiful. One of the best courses I’ve played to date.
Better of the 2 Desert Willow Courses
While both courses are nice layouts, the Firecliff is definitely thebetter of the 2. Nice mix of birdie chances and some holes that will challenge all glfers for par. The greens were horrible but had just been punched and sanded. I have played before and they were much better. Pace was a little slow and not really any marshals prsent to monitor, but it was still fun. Fun course that allows a lot of optons for different abilities.
Best of Indian Wells Package
Best of Indian Wells Package
The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package
The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package