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 |
No Hot Deals for this date.
No Hot Deals for this date.
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
All time favorite course
Great experience as always, even though greens were still rather slow since overseeding!
service at the reastaurant is slow
Great course to play. I play the Firecliff course every time I am in the area.
Great layout, fantastic scenery
The course is a really nice track. Unfortunately the greens were quite rough and not consistent . I think the course had just opened up the day before after over seeding. When I played it last year the greens were outstanding , hopefully they will get there again.
beautiful course
tough course in excellent condition
Great Dersert Course
In my top 5 courses in Palm
Springs area. Beautiful scenery with great fairways, bunkers and water. Must keep the ball on the fairways. Greens were firm and fast. Last year played the other course on site and they are both exceptional. Full on Pro shop with all the goodies. Food and adult beverages were the best. Check the discount sites for good rates. Sign up on website for specials. Hit 'em straight!!
Not up to the usual standards
Course winding down and greens were punched and a bit untrue. Sandtraps were baked and hard, so some in our group (names withheld) struggled to get under ball. Patio is usually a highlight and was a bit disappointing with a reduced menu. All signs of shutting down things in the desert. Still on the rotation but was the worst conditioned course of our week in PSP.
great course
Everything about the course was 1st class
Great course
Amazing course lay out. Greens are very tricky. Facilities are great. Great food and drinks.
Firecliff
Played the Blues (6676/71.7/133) in the GK Plays with rob1563, mswhsu & Steve. Thanks to Rob, Woody & Steve for a great round! Pace of play was okay for a Sat afternoon, around 4 1/2 hours in overcast conditions. The tees were mostly lush with even the par 3's fairly well maintained for divots. The over seeded fairways were very lush. Firm with a decent amount of roll. The over seeded rough was usually good to play out of. The ball sat up and playing even longer clubs still a viable option. Nice to chip out of. The traps were in the process of being redone. Very firm and thin. We were advised of this beforehand, so you knew what to expect. The greens were just okay today. They had been spiked or lightly punched recently and were a little bumpy and medium fast. Few ball marks and firm. These greens would be considered good on most courses, but they were not as good as i have come to expect here. The customer service was very good from all encountered. We stayed for awards and the food in the bar was a mixed bad. Sliders = excellent, nachos = avoid. Firecliff has a beautiful layout, well above average even by the high standards of the Palm Springs area. The drink cart was out making the rounds & complementary range balls are included with your round on a great practice facility. Really solid course, not tight but at least as difficult as the ratings indicate. Numerous lakes that are very much in play to avoid. One of my all-time favorite driving courses. The contrast between the lush green fairways/white sand bunkers and the huge palm trees/mountains provide excellent aim points. Many of these fairways appear tight from the tee vantage point. However, this is much more of a grip it & rip it course than 1st impressions would indicate. I say that even with native/desert scape down both sides of most holes and with penalty shots lurking everywhere. I find most of the fairways are generous in width once you get out over 175 yards from the blues. One of my favorite courses in the Palm Springs area, highly recommend.
Firecliff
Played the Blues (6676/71.7/133) using Forelinx. Matched up with Steve, Mike & Debbie in 4H, 15M. The weather was excellent, clear, around 85, little wind.
The tees were mostly lush with the par 3's having alot of divots.
One of my all-time favorite driving courses. I find the contrast between the lush green fairways/white sand bunkers and the huge palm trees/mountains provide excellent aim points. And while many of these fairways do not show it from your tee vantage point, this is much more of a grip it n rip it course than 1st impressions would indicate. I say that even with native/desert scape down both sides of most holes and with penalty shots lurking everywhere... because almost all the fairways are generous in width.
The over seeded fairways were very lush. Firm with a decent amount of roll.
The over seeded rough was usually good to play out of. The ball sat up and playing even longer clubs still a viable option. Nice to chip out of.
The traps were nicely maintained with good quality sand.
The greens were very good. They putted medium fast, were smooth with few ball marks and were firm.
The customer service was exceptional from the attendant when you drive up all the way to the attendants that clean you clubs after the round. Beautiful layout, well above average even by the high standards of the Palm Springs area. Outstanding all around! Drink cart out making the rounds & complementary range balls are included with your round on a very nice practice facility. Really solid course, not tight but at least as difficult as the ratings indicate. Numerous lakes that are very much in play to avoid. Highly recommend this course.
Firecliff
Played the Blues (6676/71.7/133) using Forelinx. Matched up with Bob, Edria & Stew, we played 4 sets of different tees in 4H, 20M. The weather was clear, around 65 with little wind.
Beautiful layout, well above average even by the high standards of the Palm Springs area. Really solid course, not tight but at least as difficult as the ratings indicate. Native/desert scape down both sides of most holes, so penalty shots are lurking everywhere. However, most fairways are generous in width.
The tees were mostly lush with the par 3's having alot of divots.
The fairways were over seeded and very nice. Firm with a decent amount of roll.
The rough was also over seeded and usually good to play out of. The ball sat up and playing even longer clubs still a viable option. Nice to chip out of.
The traps were nicely maintained with good quality sand.
The greens were very good. They putted medium fast, were smooth with few ball marks and were firm.
The customer service was exceptional from the attendant when you drive up all the way to the attendants that clean you clubs after the round. Simply outstanding all around! Drink cart out making the rounds & complementary range balls are included with your round on a very nice practice facility. I enjoyed the layout and look forward to playing here again. Definitely recommend this course.
Good Course
The course was in pretty good condition. The greens were very slow because of overseeding. The course was empty so pace of play was good. The price was a bit high for a course that was not in top shape, but I would recommend it.
Day before overseeding
This was the day prior to the overseeding process and as such, the course was dry and not in the best of shape. I have played worse but what gets me is that they charge the same whether or not the course is in shape it should be. They should offer a lower rate or at least post a warning prior to you making a tee time. Greens were very difficult to read and putt, very bumpy. I really like the layout but disappointed in the condition. Charged us $122 which I feel is a premium price for a not so premium golf course, in it's condition. Staff was just OK, nothing special.
Beautiful, but slow
The course is beautifully laid out and landscaped, with nice mountain views. It is also challenging, with lots of sand and water in play. However, it was nearly a 5 hour round. A local resident told us that five hours is common and that a slow round is considered to be five and a half hours! A Marshall told us the problem was a group 4 or five holes ahead of us. If he knew the ourse of the backup, why didn't he do something about it?! We decided we would scratch this course off our list, reluctantly, since it is otherwise a nice course.
Always a fun experience
Went out as single and was lucky to hook up with 2 real nice guys who seemed to enjoy the course as much as I did . Greens a little rough but it was end of summer . 1 INCH from hole at 3 from hole in one was highlight
Nice layout
Driving range not open.
Played behind twosome who held us up
No marshall
Greens and fairways in pretty good condition
Great conditions for late September
My brother and I signed up for a 10:20 hot deal and arrived 40 minutes early as usual. The course had the range closed but offered to let us out early. The nice couple just ahead of us waved us through on the second hole. From that point we saw nobody on the course until we reached the 14th hole. The foursome ahead of us saw us and played quickly to keep just ahead. We finished is just under 3 hours.
The conditions of the course were outstanding. This course is one of the best in the entire Palm Springs Area. It has everything you would expect, lots of lakes, tons of sand-traps and really nice well kept undulating greens. We talked about doing a replay, but it was just too hot and we have 4 more days in a row to complete the trip.
Great conditions and fair challenge
Played with wife who is 25 handicap. Pace good. Fair challenge for both of us. Several bunkers protect almost all greens. Pick and choose risk wisely. Course great shape.
Add to your bucket list
We came down to Palm Springs for a week of golf. This course was a last minute add on and it's a must play. The course is absolutely beautiful. An added bonus was the red glare off the mountains during the morning sunrise. It was worth a 6:45 am tee time.
Only down side is the greens are in fair to poor shape but I believe they are shutting down one of the courses this week to start working on them. Everything thing else from staff friendliness to club house cleanliness is top country club quality.
Phenomenal
The course was in very good shape and provided great value at this time of year. So many sand hazards made it challenging and fun at the same time. The cart mounted GPS was indeed helpful in navigating the course and those nasty sand traps. We were very pleased with our experience here and would recommend it to anyone that wants a challenge to go along with the many scenic vistas along the course.