GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.7
788 Reviews (788)
5 Stars
575
4 Stars
160
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
96.4%
Recommend this course
744 out of 788 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
11 Reviews (11)
5 Stars
9
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.8
Value
4.8
Layout
5.0
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.6
StaffFriendliness
4.6
100.0%
Recommend this course
11 out of 11 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
49 Reviews (49)
5 Stars
40
4 Stars
7
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.5
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.1
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.7
95.9%
Recommend this course
47 out of 49 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.

Book a Tee Time at
Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff
Powered by GolfNow.com

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

The Best Way To Book Is With GolfPass+
waivedfees
10 rounds of waived fees
golf ball.svg
$120 in tee time credits
teetime protection.svg
Tee Time Protection
redeemtrophy
Redeem GolfPass points

Reviews

4.7
788 Reviews (788)

Reviewer Photos

Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Stunning course, need better updates on website for conditions

Super stunning course with some of the purest greens I’ve ever played on

My only “beef” is that the front 9 they had constant maintenance occurring and running across the fairways/greens/bunkers and we had a mid day tee time. the driving range was also closed even though website showed it was open and normally green fees include free range balls and they had a gorgeous range that you can see.

We paid full green fees so that’s only crappy part. Otherwise definitely an immaculate course I’d want to play again!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 25+
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great Course!!!

Awesome day, but only got through 13 holes. Started at 3:10. Pace of play could have been faster, but other than that everything else was awesome. Will be coming back in a few days (earlier time slot). Can’t beat the view as well!!!

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

Great layout

We enjoyed our round even though it was hot out!!!

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 37
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Used cart

One of best in Palm Springs area

FireCliff course is one of the best conditioned courses in the Palm Springs area!!

It was a great day and course, had a great time!

Would definitely play again !

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Criminal it wasn’t discounted

Love the course and it’s always been in great shape but with the pending course changes, they have let the grass die. It’s absolutely criminal that they didn’t discount the green fees. About 1/3 of the grass on the greens was dead.

You have to do better, Desert Willow.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 11
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Good value, bunkers need to be redone

Played on a Tuesday at 1230 as foursome, paid $100pp so strong value. Biggest issue is the e bunkers are hard packed have uneven surfaces so many thinned bunker shots - really need a 60degre with zero bounce. Course wasn’t busy so we played at a leisurely pace 4:10. Grass is in transition to summer types so it was patchy in areas. Greens looked patchy but rolled nicely and had decent speed.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 24
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Nearby Courses
Palm Desert, California
Semi-Private
3.8997550182
1391
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Private
4.25
4
Palm Desert, California
Resort
4.5012156177
667
Palm Desert, California
Resort
4.1981191203
2174
Palm Desert, California
Public
4.6645141403
1122
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Palm Desert, California
Private
3.6666666667
3
Palm Desert, California
Semi-Private
4.4621212121
13
Palm Desert, California
Private
0.0
0
Golf Packages

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

Best of Indian Wells Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy accommodations at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort, the Tommy Bahama Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, or the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa and golf at Indian Wells Golf Resort - Celebrity & Players Courses.

The Palm Mountain Resort & Spa Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at Palm Mountain Resort & Spa and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, Indian Canyons – North Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
PALM SPRINGS, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Palm Springs/Rancho Mirage and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Indian Canyons – South Course, The Classic Club, Tahquitz Creek – Resort Course, and Tahquitz Creek – Legend Course.

The Lodge At Torrey Pines Stay & Play Package

CLICK BELOW
LA JOLLA, CA | Enjoy up to 5 nights’ accommodations at The Lodge at Torrey Pines and up to 4 rounds of golf at your choice of Torrey Pines – South Course and Torrey Pines – North Course.
Now Reading
  • Home

  • Memberships

  • Library

  • Account