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Rating Index Rating
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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
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
14
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.3
Amenities
5.0
StaffFriendliness
4.7
93.8%
Recommend this course
15 out of 16 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.

Book a Tee Time at
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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$120 in monthly tee time promo codes
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12 rounds of waived fees
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GolfPass Member Pricing
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Tee Time Protection

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 6
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

The most beautiful course I have seen. The views are a mazing!

I thoroughly enjoyed playing on this course and will do so every time I visit Palm Springs

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Love the course

Excellent staff. Ice machine not working on front side. Bunkers were not raked!

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

What a brilliant Course, wow, we are coming back

Just played in Late June, course was in brilliant shape apart from 1 tee 16th. The welcome from the starter and pro shop was really inviting and the range facility was really good. The desert blue tee boxes set back from the fairways were picturesque and challenging, the fairways were luscious and green, although we did dodge a sprinkler late in the round and the greens were in really good shape compared to others in Palm Springs on this visit. This is really worth a visit for golfers who shoot under 90 consistently and will test your all round game. Go play

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Very challenging course.

Very tough course, requires you to think about your approach shot. Fairways were in pristine condition for the summer, the greens were true and fair. Interesting dog legs and long par 5's require distance of the tee. One of my favorite desert courses in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 11
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

A great course for all levels.

A favourite to visit while in Palm Springs,this course should be near the top of every golfers list for the area.Always in good condition,it has a good variety of holes,long and short..The pick being the 18,scenically very good,pleasing to the eye and challenging..water comes into play on the drive-lay-up and the approach to the green.Afitting end to an excellent course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Very friendly staff from arrival to after round lunch

Great course and variable difficulty depending on which tees you play from. Will definately go back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

great Track.

Great test of golf. Godd condition on the irecliff course. Very pleasing to play and a great summer value.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 70
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 1000 Contributor
Previously Played

A great tract for serious golfers, not for beginners

A beautiful and challenging course. Moderate and above skills required, not for beginners

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 3
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great time!

From the moment we pulled up into parking lot, the staff was friendly. The young ladies in golf shop were very helpful. The starter let us go early which was great. The course was in excellent condition and noticed many of the grounds crew were out on course working hard. Will definitely be back to play again.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Great shape. Great off-season price.

The course was in great shape. With the reduced summer rates for desert golf kicking in this is one of the good deals to be had.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

One of the most beautiful and exquisitely maintained courses in the whole Coachella valley!

A very enjoyable course to play, w/ one proviso--you better first brush up on your sand trap skills 'cause there are bunkers everywhere! Otherwise, it is very fun to play and a scenic delight.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 8
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

beautiful course

If you are In palm desert to play golf Desert Willow Firecliff must be on your list.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 56
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

One of our favorite courses in the Palm Desert area. Played past 8 years in a row and still a favorite

Excellent course. We come back to this course every year. We played 14 rounds this year and this was one of the top 2 courses on our list. Great views and the course is pristine even for mid-May season

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 18
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Beautiful course, great facilities, excellent service.

I've always wanted to play the course but it has been slighlty out of my price range until GolfNow's deal.

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Fairways are extra wide

Fairways are wide and are in excellent condition. Real sign of maintenance. But, I did find the tee boxes (white) in poor condition. There is a real sign of wear when the teeing area slopes to one side or the other. The bunkers are numerous and large. A bit crusty and not raked.
Overall a good experience. I would rate the Mountain view course in better condition and equally a challenge.
I did make a comment to the bag staff at the end of my round.

Conditions Poor
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

One of my favorites

I am a ClubCorp memeber and play many of the country club courses. Even though this is a public course, it has a resort feel. Well maintained, medium to hard especially when the winds kick up but very fun!!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser

This course is a proper course that is challenging

The course was a well thought out course. The holes were challenging but fair. Would like to play the course again to maximize scoring potential.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
4.0
Verified Purchaser

Great price, super slow

First time using golf now. Great last day price and wonderful course. They needed marshal to speed up play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Worth full price!

Absolutely gorgeous course. Challenging, but fair. Definately will play again. I look forward to playing its sister course in the near future.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Wonderful course.

This is my favorite course in the desert. It's not only kept in wonderful condition, it's a very fair test of golf. The views are spectacular too.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
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