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4.7
800 Reviews (800)
5 Stars
585
4 Stars
161
3 Stars
32
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.6
95.3%
Recommend this course
755 out of 800 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
17 Reviews (17)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
4.8
94.1%
Recommend this course
16 out of 17 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
45 Reviews (45)
5 Stars
37
4 Stars
6
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.7
StaffFriendliness
4.8
95.6%
Recommend this course
43 out of 45 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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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

4.7
800 Reviews (800)

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 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 50
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 1000
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 19
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 188
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
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course.

Would highly recomend. One of the nicest courses in the Coachella Valley.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 19
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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