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Rating Index Rating
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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
23 Reviews (23)
5 Stars
20
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
95.7%
Recommend this course
22 out of 23 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 16
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Excellent layout .... good challenge.

Course condition was excellent having just reopened from overseeding. Pace of play was good but a little on the slow side.
Good layout. Very enjoyable to play.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Difficulty Moderate
Default User Avatar
Anonymous
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Featured
Verified Purchaser

Great day of golf at the best course in the valley

In my opinion this is the best course in the valley. From the greeting on our arrival to the assistance at our departure the staff could not be more helpful. The course is in wonderful condition and we really enjoyed it. Even the sand traps of which there were many made for an interesting game. Thanks for showing us a great time.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

One of my favorite courses in the Desert

Beautiful course design, challenging layout, professional and friendly staff, and great facilities.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

One of the best in the valley

I always try to include a round on each of the 2 courses at this location.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 115
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor

Difficult course. Not for the high handicapper.

The overall condition of the course was slightly above average. However, the fairways were mowed rather long, and they were also over-watered. This made for almost no roll on tee shots. And, it turned an already difficult course into a monster. This course is not for the high handicapper. If you normally shoot in the mid-80s to low 90s, expect to shoot in the low 90s to 100.

One final note... This course plays slower than most Coachella Valley courses - at least in the summer. Our 3-some quit after 15 holes 'cause we were waiting on every shot and had already been out for 3+ hours in 100+ degree heat. If you are looking for a quick summer round, it isn't going to happen at the Desert Willow Firecliff course.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Average
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

One of our favorite dessert courses.

Firecliff is a challenging course that we enjoy every time we get to the dessert. It is generally in great condition and has a nice layout with many bunkers and hazards. You can score well if you keep it in the fairway but if you stray, the course can pile on strokes rapidly. Very hot and humid the day we played even with a 6:40 tee time. We moved around the course quickly and enjoyed it immensely. Very good condition, medium speed greens.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser

Great track to play

Love this couse, it a great track and great price!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser

Nice course but expensive

Enjoyed course, well maintained, good food, not a good value price wise however at $117.00.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Friendliness Average
Pace Fair
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Reviews 4
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0

Challenging and fair

Liked this course. Right from the start at the bag drop and then into the shop, this is a well run operation. The course was quiet which suited us and there is enough changing scenery to make you forget that this is a square lot inside the city. The fairways and greens were in good condition considering this is September and the sun has been burning for a good number of months. Some technical holes and thought required. I would return and recommend this to any others thinking about it.

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