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Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort

4.7
780 Reviews (780)
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4.7
780 Reviews (780)
5 Stars
568
4 Stars
159
3 Stars
31
2 Stars
12
1 Stars
10
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.9
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.2
Amenities
4.5
Tooltip Information Icon
96.3%
Recommend this course
736 out of 780 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
35 Reviews (35)
5 Stars
29
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.6
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.9
94.3%
Recommend this course
33 out of 35 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
54 Reviews (54)
5 Stars
42
4 Stars
10
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.4
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
96.3%
Recommend this course
52 out of 54 reviews
Read Reviews

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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Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff
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Satellite Layout
Tees
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
Track Rounds
Scorecard
Scorecard for Firecliff
Metrics:
Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Out 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 In Total
Black M: 74.1/141 535 410 194 446 429 331 569 155 455 3524 435 452 427 550 176 332 420 204 536 3532 7056
Purple M: 72.1/136 516 394 168 424 400 310 548 138 437 3335 421 427 395 523 163 302 405 192 513 3341 6676
Purple/White M: 71.0/132 516 364 168 387 380 310 520 138 408 3191 393 396 371 523 163 302 405 170 513 3236 6427
White M: 69.9/128 W: 75.7/140 489 364 139 387 380 279 520 119 408 3085 393 396 371 502 141 279 368 170 468 3088 6173
White/Tan M: 68.7/124 W: 74.1/136 489 338 139 352 341 279 510 119 373 2940 357 362 338 502 141 279 368 152 468 2967 5907
Tan M: 67.5/120 W: 72.5/133 447 338 127 352 341 264 510 107 373 2859 357 362 338 454 119 258 332 152 411 2783 5642
Tan/Green M: 66.1/116 W: 70.8/130 417 338 127 313 304 264 465 107 323 2658 357 329 338 425 119 258 297 152 385 2660 5318
Green M: 65.0/112 W: 69.4/127 417 312 107 313 304 233 465 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

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
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

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Reviews

4.7
780 Reviews (780)

Reviewer Photos

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Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
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Default User Avatar
u000005458741
Played On
Reviews 21
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Firecliff on fire

Great course, great views, tough overall. Bunkers were ok and greens were slick. Played from the tips making the teeth on the course come out. Well worth the money.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
nan1san
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Firecliff has beautiful views

Enjoyed the round. Course has breathtaking views of the mountains. Only hiccup was the greens….awful. Not sure if it had an infection or what but it was either bald or had a weed growth. Greens were slick and uneven.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
David9634841
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Greens / Pace

Nice layout, bunkers need a bit of updating, Greens look like terrible and bumpy with the Rye grass dying off. Clubhouse closes at 6pm? can even grab a beer on the patio after the round. Too bad its a beautiful layout and nice patio and clubhouse.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Fair
Amenities Poor
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
u314162360186
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart

Firecliff

We were told it is one of the best courses in the Valley. When we got there we were told that they haven't seen the course in such bad shape in 20 years.

zHad we knew about this, we would have booked Mountain View.

Value Poor
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
Shaun9169294
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Must Play

This course challenges even the most skilled player. Each green is protected by multiple traps, making it difficult to run a ball on to the green. The greens are fast, making it difficult to stick and hold a green from a distance. The greens are undulating making breaks on most puts. The fairways are beautifully maintained and honor a straight drive. If you like a challenge you will love this course.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
CW4030
Played On
Reviews 15
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 Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
BoyceLowery
Played On
Reviews 30
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Beautiful course

Have played here many times. Almost always a treat. Conditions were excellent.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Featured
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Default User Avatar
u000003909970
Played On
Reviews 47
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Senior gilfer

Been many years since I saw played this course. It is every bit as good as the last time I played it. Wonderful design, very challenging and in excellent shape. A true gem in the area.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u000001211430
Played On
Reviews 16
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
ewgriggs
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
Jongovier
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Awesome

Fantastic condition and real test of golf. Great friendly staff I will be back

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
kurttwebb
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
wrbodin
Played On
Reviews 27
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fire

Awesome course. Beautiful track. Greens slowed in the late afternoon. Will be back!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u948791574
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
dmuns
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
7JTZoX1PWDg5JKOqkcWR
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
kmaxkid
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
CarlSDG
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Anazing

One of the best, if not the best course in the Valley. Can’t go wrong with Desert Willow.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u314164242245
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
d0811
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
3 4 5 6 7
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