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Firecliff at Desert Willow Golf Resort

4.7
784 Reviews (784)
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4.7
784 Reviews (784)
5 Stars
571
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
4.1
Amenities
4.5
Tooltip Information Icon
96.4%
Recommend this course
740 out of 784 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
22 Reviews (22)
5 Stars
16
4 Stars
5
3 Stars
1
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.7
Layout
4.9
Pace
3.8
Amenities
4.4
StaffFriendliness
4.8
95.5%
Recommend this course
21 out of 22 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
52 Reviews (52)
5 Stars
41
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.7
Value
4.4
Layout
4.9
Pace
4.0
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
96.2%
Recommend this course
50 out of 52 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 W: 78.6/146 516 394 168 424 400 310 548 138 437 3335 421 427 395 523 163 302 405 192 513 3341 6676
Purple/White M: 71.0/132 W: 77.1/143 516 364 168 387 380 310 520 138 408 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
784 Reviews (784)

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Recommended
Handicap
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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
Default User Avatar
kmaxkid
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Very organized

I didn't get the full round in because slower players ahead of us

Conditions Excellent
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
7JTZoX1PWDg5JKOqkcWR
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Wonderful layout!

Course was in outstanding condition. First time playing and will definitely make sure to book for nect year! Worth playing when ever you can😊

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
kmaxkid
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Used cart

Its a very nice course

afternoon times can be risky to get 18 in we were going at a great pace, and then got held up with a foursome ahead of us .

Difficulty Moderate
Featured
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u7203964
Played On
Reviews 14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Gorgeous & challenging course!

This is our 7th season being snow birds January through March in Palm Desert and the Desert Willow Firecliff Course is still a favorite. The Mountain Course is also amazing! Both courses are prestigious, the views are amazing and the staff is top notch! We also enjoy sitting on their patio for cocktails and a meal any time of the day whether golfing or not!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
VIfjJXo1sjqPilzVw7RG
Played On
Reviews 5
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
u00000820484
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Wow!!

What a treat!!! Immaculate conditions. Played in under 4hrs. Amazing course!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
3zS8aFWb76MmXjoRFBl0
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Beautiful as expected

It’s been a few years since we last played in your course. Beautiful golf course, friendly staffs and a design that challenges and demands good shots. Very enjoyable and definitely begging for a repeat .

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
BFKnox
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 15-19
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Needs a 19th hole

Course is in great shape, excellent staff, fabulous layout. The problem is the clubhouse closes at 5:00. They need to stay open for an after golf drink and a bite to eat.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Default User Avatar
u966542188
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
u314163831564
Played On
Reviews 2
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 Moderate
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
Guido10256
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Good track

My only issue, is closing the dinner and bar at 5 pm, makes no sense, always open in prior years…we like to dine at the course after playing…

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Default User Avatar
u747905328
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Unreal

What a gem. One of the top courses I’ve ever played. Conditions just immaculate. Can’t wait to come back.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
All4josh
Played On
Reviews 2
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
mburns56
Played On
Reviews 8
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0

Great course!

What a pleasure to play this course again! I have played a bunch of very good courses this month but this one was in impeccable condition! The fairways were so firm that it was easy to get good backspin on wedge shots.

I liked the greens- challenging but fair. Once you got the speed of them you could really score.

I say all of this in comparison to one of my favorite courses, the PGAWest Mountain course which is an unplayable mess right now - mud pits from past flooding, greens as hard as rock, closed range, no gps or ball washers - what a real disappointment!

Save your money and go play Firecliff!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
porterb01
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Al about the numbers

One of the best around. Great staff, course was in good shape., Will for sure play again. Will need a few more birdies to get a low round in.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
u000002331596
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Beginner
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Good
4 5 6 7 8
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