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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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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 17
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

desert golf

This may be the prettiest course in the area. Many forced carries over desert hazards. You must be accurate with your big stick. Many hidden water hazards also. Driving from green to next tee box, you think you made a wrong turn because the course is only in plain site when you stand on the tee box. It is fun walking through the grounds to get to the next tee box. I very highly recommend this course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Snails Play

If you like 5 hour round of golf this courses is for you.

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good day on the course

Good day on the golf course. Practice facilities were good and check in was no issue. Golf course in good shape with many very scenic holes. Water stations with plastic cups only. Beer cart seemed to have pricing that was at the cart persons whim. Would like to see a posted chart for pricing for consistency. Overall a great day and will be back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

This place is as good as it gets for golf in Palm Springs area - private or public courses. On

par with Classic Club and better than Escena. Best suited for serious players.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 34
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Desert Willow

This is a very nice golf course, but I had an unpleasant experience this time. The golfnow site listed the time as a special for two. We assumed that we could play as a twosome. The starter blocked us even though the other twosome hadn’t arrived. We had to wait 45 minutes until after 3:00 to start. A note, the food in the restaurant was very good. The play was fairly slow, but it is similar to most courses in the valley.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Commented on 04/11/2018

Sorry, but that's not how golf courses operate. A 2-some will only go out by themselves if they don't have enough players. But it's good you didn't give it "1 star" based on your misunderstanding. Good review overall. Thank you.

Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Enjoyed the course

The course is in excellent condition

Layout of holes good. It was a hot day but staff was around to privife cold towels and check on golfers.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 15
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

A Gem Worth The Price!!!!!

Firecliff is an immaculate course that invites driver off of every tee with its huge fairways. The equalizer are the greens as they are laser fast and andulating if you don’t hit the right spot on the green. Very little break on most putts even though to the eye, it looks like there is break. The pace really slowed down toward the end as the resort golfers in front of us slowly succumbed to the heat. Seen the beverage cart twice in 18 holes. The food on the deck was great! Just a heads up if your a socialable person, most guests we came across at the clubwere not. I would recommended this course over either Indian Wells Course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Firecliff Desert. Willow

Course in great shape and definitely one of the best courses in Palm Desert.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
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

Really liked it...

Very fast greens. Visually arresting. A big step up from Indian Indian Hills - Players course, which I played the next day.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 90
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 500 Contributor
Previously Played

Worth it

It lives up to its reputation and is worthy of its spot in the top 50 in the US. If your planning a trip to the desert out this one on the list.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Desert Beauty

exactly what you want in a winter getaway golf trip

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Poor
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

I HAVE PLAYED MANY COURSES UP AND DOWN THE WEST COAST AND HAWAII, BUT DESERT WILLOWS FIRE CLIFF HAS TO BE NOT JUST THE TOP 10 BU ONE OF MY BEST TWO.

THE COURSE WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION BUR THE VIEWS WERE OUTSTANDING. I CAN NOT WAIT TO PLAY IT AGAIN,

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Play at Firecliff

We love Desert Willow and both courses. They are beautiful and well

Maintained. We wish the beautiful bar area would be open til at least 7:30 to enjoy a cocktail and view once done playing a round

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 12
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course tough but fun

Other than the pace of play this course is a winner. You can expect slow play on a resort course because of the mix of players and handicaps.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great option

Desert Willow is one of my favorite desert tracks. Course was in fantastic shape and pace of play was Awesome! We teed off at 2:40 and finished by 7. Great layout and lots of different tees to match your skill. I'm a 7 and played the purple tees. 6600 yars. Shot 80 and enjoyed it very much! If you get a good twighliggt rate it is best deal in desert.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
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