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
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.
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
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.
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...
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.
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.
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
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.