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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
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
19
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.6
Layout
5.0
Pace
4.5
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
4.9
95.5%
Recommend this course
21 out of 22 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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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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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 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

All time favorite course

Great experience as always, even though greens were still rather slow since overseeding!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

service at the reastaurant is slow

Great course to play. I play the Firecliff course every time I am in the area.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

beautiful course

tough course in excellent condition

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

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!!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 15
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Average weather
Used cart

great course

Everything about the course was 1st class

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great course

Amazing course lay out. Greens are very tricky. Facilities are great. Great food and drinks.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1001
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1 Contributor
California Advisor
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1001
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1 Contributor
California Advisor
Previously Played
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1001
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 1 Contributor
California Advisor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played
Good weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Average
Value Fair
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Fair
Value Poor
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Poor
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 45
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

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

Conditions Good
Value Average
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Nice layout

Driving range not open.
Played behind twosome who held us up
No marshall
Greens and fairways in pretty good condition

Conditions Average
Value Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 68
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 38
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

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.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 156
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 100 Contributor
Verified Purchaser
San Francisco Advisor
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Used cart

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.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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LAS VEGAS, NV | Enjoy up to 3 nights’ accommodations at the Luxor Resort & Casino and up to 3 rounds of golf at your choice of Legacy Golf Course, Las Vegas National Golf Course, and Desert Pines Golf Course.
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