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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
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Default User Avatar
Roper222
Played On
Reviews 4
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

GREAT COURSE

Great course in the middle of the valley and across the street from the JW MARRIOTT. You can’t go wrong with either of the 2 courses.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
u000008166879
Played On
Reviews 13
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Sharondur60
Played On
Reviews 32
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
kevinjoness
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
carmawc
Played On
Reviews 7
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Default User Avatar
Joey1379
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Paul9699741
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
PaulKane
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Firecliff at Desert Willow

This is my 2nd round at this course. Right now it’s off season and the value can’t be beat providing one can tolerate playing in 110 degree weather. It’s a beautiful course and exceptionally well maintained, If you’re in the area and looking for a great deal on a beautiful course don’t miss this. Wouldn’t be surprised if the rates add another $100 in season. Hoping to play the Mountainview tract before rates climb but I’d pay the full freight cause it’s worth it. Beautiful course.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
u314163001880
Played On
Reviews 1
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
mlandry99
Played On
Reviews 9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Do it!!

This course is immaculate. From tee to green, of course greens are slow but run true. This course is worth the visit.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Average
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
Paul9699741
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Default User Avatar
mlevy5402
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
burtoncharlesmorris
Played On
Reviews 64
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
burtoncharlesmorris
Played On
Reviews 64
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Featured
Find Out More >>
Default User Avatar
u314163116599
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
tomkantzalis
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Great desert course, greens having problems

This course has so much character and natural beauty , great amenities . For august in the desert the fairways are in great shape, at the moment the greens need work, lots of bare spots very slow not rolling true . Still one of my favorite in the desert .

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Default User Avatar
u314163116599
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Default User Avatar
JaseDAce
Played On
Reviews 42
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Firecliff Greens in Bad Shape

If it weren't for the greens condition on Firecliff, I would have enjoyed the round much more. I simply stopped putting after a few holes because the greens were in terrible condition. It's not like this all the time, so I know that they're going to get ready for aerification. Nonetheless, I expect more from this gem in the desert. Mountain was in better shape, but I think this course will be aerated soon as well.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
TonyReboton
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart
Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Fair
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Default User Avatar
TonyReboton
Played On
Reviews 23
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Hot weather
Used cart

Terrible Greens

Worts greens, Every green had brown areas,

Not worth the money.

Conditions Poor
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Poor
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
6 7 8 9 10
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