public · Palm Desert, CA · 18 holes
Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course
The valley's best-known municipal-owned resort course and the harder of Desert Willow's pair, freshly renovated with Mini Verde greens. Closed for overseed until Dec 26 in 2026, so it is a January-April play.
Tees, rating and slope
| Tee | Yards | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 7,056 | 74.1 / 141 | – |
| Purple | 6,676 | 72.1 / 136 | – |
| Purple/Lavender combo | 6,427 | 71.0 / 132 | – |
| Lavender | 6,173 | 69.9 / 128 | 75.7 / 140 |
| Tan | 5,642 | 67.5 / 120 | 72.5 / 133 |
| Green | 5,079 | 65.0 / 112 | 69.4 / 127 |
Course rating / slope, USGA Course Rating database where available.
Green fees
| Peak | Dynamic pricing. Desert Willow's Platinum Club Card page gives estimated per-round rates for Jan-mid-April of $125-$210 prime, $110-$170 twilight, $65-$100 sunset. |
|---|---|
| Shoulder | Oct-Dec estimated $115-$180 prime, $100-$150 twilight, $60-$90 sunset; mid-April-May $95-$150 prime, $70-$110 twilight, $60-$95 sunset (same page). |
| Summer | June-Sept estimated $50-$95 prime, $45-$65 twilight. GolfNow prepaid Hot Deals seen at $52.99 (Firecliff, Aug 22, 2026) and $47.99 (Mountain View, Sep 5, 2026) with cart. |
| Twilight | See ranges above (twilight and a later sunset tier). |
| Locals | Palm Desert Resident Card ($52/yr from the Palm Desert Community Center) gets a $52 resident rate on tee times booked inside the 3-day resident window (opens 7 PM); summer Jun 15-Sep 10, 2026 $40 with one guest at $40. Platinum Club Card Oct 1, 2026-Sep 30, 2027: $329 resident, $599 non-resident; 25-30% off dynamic fees at both courses, 60-day booking, up to 3 guests at preferred rates. |
desertwillow.com pages read 2026-11-02; the page labels the rate bands as estimates that vary with demand
Before you book
| Access | City of Palm Desert-owned public resort facility, 36 holes. Anyone can book; Palm Desert residents with a Resident Card get a 3-day window at a resident rate; Platinum Club Card holders book 60 days out. |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Public: not published. Resident Card holders 3 days (opens 7 PM). Platinum Club Card 60 days. |
| Overseed / closures | 2026: closed Nov 9-Dec 25 for overseed (with the resort putting green), reopens Dec 26, 2026. Summer aerification Jun 29-Jul 8 and Aug 10-19, 2026 (desertwillow.com). |
| Designer | Hurdzan-Fry-Cook (Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry, John Cook) |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Style | Desert resort course: elevated greens, 100+ bunkers, water, the tougher of the two. |
| Practice | Resort practice facility, chipping green and putting green (closed for overseed with the course windows below). |
| Drive from downtown Palm Springs | 23 min (14.4 mi) |
| Phone | 760-346-7060 |
| Address | 38995 Desert Willow Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260 |
Local knowledge
- For a Nov-Dec 2026 trip, Firecliff is closed until Dec 26; book Mountain View instead.
- Snowbirds staying the season: the Platinum Club Card ($599 non-resident, $329 with a Palm Desert Resident Card) runs Oct 1-Sep 30 and takes 25-30% off dynamic fees plus 60-day booking.
- The renovation regrassed the greens to Mini Verde; expect firm, fast bermuda putting surfaces.
Hole by hole
| Hole | Par | Yards* | Elev* | Hcp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 534 | +10 ft | |
| 2 | 4 | 405 | -2 ft | |
| 3 | 3 | 194 | +1 ft | |
| 4 | 4 | 449 | -8 ft | |
| 5 | 4 | 423 | +6 ft | |
| 6 | 328 | +5 ft | ||
| 7 | 569 | +3 ft | ||
| 8 | 163 | -3 ft | ||
| 9 | 458 | -8 ft | ||
| 10 | 436 | +5 ft | ||
| 11 | 449 | +6 ft | ||
| 12 | 391 | -8 ft | ||
| 13 | 543 | +13 ft | ||
| 14 | 182 | +1 ft | ||
| 15 | 329 | -9 ft | ||
| 16 | 418 | +14 ft | ||
| 17 | 210 | -2 ft | ||
| 18 | 538 | -11 ft |
*Yards measured along the mapped centre line (OpenStreetMap), close to the middle tees. Elevation = how far the green sits above (+) or below (−) the tee, from USGS terrain data.
Closest golf hotels
- JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa — 3 min, 0.5 mi
- Residence Inn by Marriott Palm Desert — 3 min, 1.2 mi
- Courtyard by Marriott Palm Desert — 3 min, 1.3 mi
Questions golfers ask
How much does it cost to play Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course?
Green fees we have seen range from $45–$210, depending on season and time of day. Peak season: Dynamic pricing. Desert Willow's Platinum Club Card page gives estimated per-round rates for Jan-mid-April of $125-$210 prime, $110-$170 twilight, $65-$100 sunset.
When is Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course closed for overseeding?
The latest published closure is Nov 9 – Dec 25. 2026: closed Nov 9-Dec 25 for overseed (with the resort putting green), reopens Dec 26, 2026. Summer aerification Jun 29-Jul 8 and Aug 10-19, 2026 (desertwillow.com).
How hard is Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course?
From the back tees it measures 7,056 yards with a course rating of 74.1 and a slope of 141.
How far ahead can you book Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course?
Public: not published. Resident Card holders 3 days (opens 7 PM). Platinum Club Card 60 days.
How far is Desert Willow Golf Resort - Firecliff Course from Palm Springs?
About 23 minutes (14.4 miles) by road from downtown Palm Springs in light traffic.
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