Chris Miller
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Firecliff
Desert Willow Golf Resort: Firecliff
38995 Desert Willow Dr
Palm Desert, CA 92260-1674
United States
Telephone
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
“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
Review
“Country Club conditions at a public course! The Desert Willow golf resort is a must play in Palm Springs. The Firecliff course is the tougher of the two courses there. Fairways are wide but the challenge comes in on the approach shots. Greens are pretty small and there are very few flat putts. Getting on in regulation is the key to scoring on Firecliff. Desert Willow also has a top-notch practice facility."
Read More2024
Review
“A very fun desert / resort style of course with good shot options and wonderfully challenging greens. Slightly over 7,000 yards from the tips (a 141 slope rating), the Purple Tee's are perfectly challenging especially if you have never played on these fun / sloping greens. Beautiful views and true fairways, Firecliff is a fun day in the desert!"
Read More2023
Review
“Well maintained Hurdzan-Fry desert course with beautiful mountain views throughout. A wonderful set of par 3's will be the highlight of your round. A pleasant and accommodating staff will tend to your every need."
Read More2023
