Chris Miller
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Firecliff
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Firecliff
38995 Desert Willow Dr
Palm Desert, CA 92260-1674
United States
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Overview
One of the most underrated courses in the desert is the Firecliff course at Desert Willow. Dr. Michael Hurdzan and Dana Fry designed 36 holes (including the Mountain course) on this flat desert floor in the Coachella Valley and moved enough earth to create some interesting holes that frame the surrounding mountains. Playability for all handicap ranges is strong, but even for the better players, the Firecliff course is a intriguing and fair test of golf.
About
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“Desert Willow Firecliff offers a solid test of golf and enjoyable experience. The course conditions were in great shape, with greens and fairways firm and fast despite a recent stretch of very hot temps. The uphill and sidehill slopes offer a challenge. The Par 3 lengths were nicely diverse and offer unique hole designs including the island green on 17. Many holes offered a risk / reward from the tee, taking on the challenge for a short wedge or playing safe and having a longer shot in. Aesthetics added to the experience, set against the mountain backdrop, with green fairways and greens surrounded by desert waste areas."
Read More2026
Review
“very nice, condition very good"
Read More2026
Review
“very good public course. excellent condition and good driving range"
Read More2025
Review
“Great layout. Real fun place to test your game. Challenging and fun."
Read More2025
Review
“Well designed course. Very nice variety with long and short holes, well balanced. Back 9 starts with stout par 4’s with quality resistance to scoring. Very good green complexes allowing for variety of challenge and difficulty."
Read More2025
Review
“A challenging, yet player friendly resort course. Greens were firmer than other courses in the area that I played while in Palm Desert. Fairly wide landing areas off the tee, but some holes had bunkering that required more precise drives. The par three's were a good mix of length and green size."
Read More2025
Review
“The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating. The course is fun to play. The San Jacinto Mountains and the Santa Rosa Mountains and visible from many of the holes."
Read More2025
Review
“The course was renovated in the summer months of 2024 with new grasses on the greens, new tee boxes, and turf reduction. The surrounding beauty of the San Jacinto Mountains and the Santa Rosa Mountains gives a very positive and energizing feeling while playing this course."
Read More2025
Review
“This might be the best public access course in the desert!"
Read More2024
Review
“Every hole is straight. No risk/reward challenges off any tee. Approach shots are the challenge of the layout. Have a hard time justifying the non-resident rate of $250. That being said, you get the country club experience at a public golf course."
Read More2024
