Played on Saturday, 12/8/12, following GK Event on 12/7. GK Play at this course couldn't be beat. This was by far the BEST course I have ever played - Hands Down! Staff, Clubhouse, Practice area were ... Continue »

Played on Saturday, 12/8/12, following GK Event on 12/7. GK Play at this course couldn't be beat. This was by far the BEST course I have ever played - Hands Down! Staff, Clubhouse, Practice area were incredible. This course was in as close to perfect condition as you could get. Greens were in perfect shape / no ball marks anywhere. Rolled true/challenging reads and pin placement. Fairways were perfect!!! Major challenges were the amount of sand traps and how deep they were. Tee boxes were level with only a few showing signs of heavy use as the Whites were located with the Gold. Great round with Great GKers on a Perfect course - what more could you ask for.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

Played in a GK play event day after Classic outing. After playing the classic course, I was hoping not to get a let down of having to play a course that may not be up to par. Fortunately, Firecliff ... Continue »

Played in a GK play event day after Classic outing. After playing the classic course, I was hoping not to get a let down of having to play a course that may not be up to par. Fortunately, Firecliff did not disappoint. From range to putting green, practice area had plenty of room to warm up large number of people and conditions were great.

Bunkering here is fairly severe since greens are contoured such a way that it was tough to make sandy if you fell in some of the bunkers (I feel as though good shot should be awarded even from bunkers but some of the pin placement made it impossible to get close from the bunker. Like others, I would like more rankes available in the waste area if the sands are going to be soft and plays exactly like bunkers.

Fairways were in good shape and there weren't any obvious flaws. Rough wasn't long but ball sank down into it so it made it tough to hit long clubs when in rough. Course was overall very close to immaculate. I would not hesitate to recommend this course to anyone. It is fairly difficult course, especially their greens so be prepared. I thoroughly enjoyed the course.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

I also played in the GK event. I agree with the others that the course played long, but I'm not sure why. There wasn't much wind, but I consistently came up a club or two shot, even after I clubbed ... Continue »

I also played in the GK event. I agree with the others that the course played long, but I'm not sure why. There wasn't much wind, but I consistently came up a club or two shot, even after I clubbed up.

The rough was really nice, and you were penalized fairly if you had to hit an approach shot out of it. Lots of water, but it was far enough away on many of the holes that it came into play only on very poor shots. There are lots of bunkers, but they are well maintained and manageable if you have a decent bunker game. One minor complaint is that some of the bunkers are really waste areas, but the sand is so soft that it left deep footprints. I was reluctant to just walk away, thinking that if I landed in someone else's footprint that I'd be steamed, but there were no rakes around.

Fairways were generally wide with generous rough, so you had to have a pretty errant shot to be off in the scrub. The landscaping is terrific. Lots of different shrubs covered the undulating hillsides, which allowed you to sometimes feel like there was no one else around. I recall seeing one building (other than the clubhouse) by a tee box, but other than that I don't recall seeing any development lining the course. All in all, a great day of golf with a great group of golfers. I'm looking forward to more GK events. Thanks, Johnny!

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

I also had the pleasure of playing here on Sat. In the GK plays event. All I can say is that the two previous reviews are spot on. This is one of the nicest courses I have ever played. First class all... Continue »

I also had the pleasure of playing here on Sat. In the GK plays event. All I can say is that the two previous reviews are spot on. This is one of the nicest courses I have ever played. First class all the way.
I loved the lay out challenging but fair. Tons of bunkers. One one hole we were all in a different green side bunker.
What I liked best were the people I played with what a fun group. A big thank you
to Johnny for another great event!

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

Had fun at the GK Plays outing here this morning. Another picture perfect day in the desert and the perfect finale! The course was in beautiful shape. The greens were exceptional, running at perfect s... Continue »

Had fun at the GK Plays outing here this morning. Another picture perfect day in the desert and the perfect finale! The course was in beautiful shape. The greens were exceptional, running at perfect speeds (in my opinion). Very smooth on top, but receptive enough on approaches. You can play your ball high into the greens or run it up low, so a lot of different approach options here as long as you avoid the bunkers at all costs! Speaking of bunkers, there are many here and they are all punishing. You also have the desert waste areas with all sorts of trees, bushes and wildlife, so there's no shortage of sand on this true "desert" style course. Very secluded setting with no houses around the course. Beautiful views of mountains on every hole. It's a simply gorgeous course that's very fun and also very challenging.

Firecliff was playing especially "long" today with lush fairways and rough, so not much roll out on drives. I love the parallel "mirror image" stretch of holes 8/9 and 17/18 with the water in between. Tough holes, but beautiful finishers for each nine. The course was in excellent shape. Near immaculate from tee to green and perfect greens. Great sand in the bunkers. The underground rakes without any springs to pop them out a little bit are kind of annoying and I found it odd that some bunkers didn't have rakes at all because they were technically attached to waste areas. However, those parts of the bunkers nearest to the greens clearly had the deeper, softer sand, so people were leaving big footprints and unable to effectively clean up after themselves. Weird not to have rakes near those areas.

With the rake situation my only very minor complaint, this course blew me away overall. What a fantastic track! One of my new favorites in the desert for sure. Good food afterward and that patio is awesome overlooking 9 and 18.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

12/8 - Played this AMAZING course with GKers this morning. This course is one I'll have 'sweet' dreams of for years to come and OMG memories from some of the deep/high sided bunkers/"sand traps" (and... Continue »

12/8 - Played this AMAZING course with GKers this morning. This course is one I'll have 'sweet' dreams of for years to come and OMG memories from some of the deep/high sided bunkers/"sand traps" (and believe me there are MANY of them), as well. From a Lady golfers perspective... From the minute you arrive the beauty of the clubhouse welcomes you, and the Staff are Exemplary!! From the Initial Greeting at Bag drop off; to the Pro Shop staff/Check-in (even though they seemed a tidge confused); from the Starter providing expert advise/guidance (specifically about the in-ground/hidden bunker rakes), and even the ever present Marshal pushing everyone along to keep pace - All Exceptional! Wonderful practice area, large practice putting area, and plenty of range balls - (chipping area and practice bunker were closed). Had the pleasure of playing with sr129(Steve); 1putt1(Jeff); and rstang06(Willie/hubby). RED tee boxes were very nice/only came across one all day that wasn't truly level, and had any sort of 'damage' = if you can call it that...I call it expected for any course/tee box. Very Lady Friendly. EVERYTHING was Very WELL manicured/maintained/and a beautiful combination of Lush/Desert fauna landscaping. Niiiiiiiiiice! Fairways were a Dream Come True!! No matter where you hit it in the fairway your Ball seemed to be at that perfect set-up height for your follow-on shots. (Again, from the RED tee point of view...) Tee shot angles were fairly wide open. However, a well thought out shot was crucial in 'threading through' to the Greens due to the myriad of Bunkers!!! (or Sand Traps as some refer to them). All I know is there are OVER 100 on this course (Fire Cliffs); (57 more than on the Mountain View course) . Carts came equipped with coolers, ball/club washers, and GPS featuring 'flyover' view of the hole, distance to the pin, as well as the typical other readings to the many hazards. Greens were PRISTINE!! NO ball damage whatsoever. Rolled true and speeds were medium/semi-fast. The subtle undulations kept you second guessing. This course won't give a birdie or par finish away easily. Sand in the bunkers made them quite playable. (I only had difficulty getting out of 1 of the 3 I had the misfortune of landing in). Hidden rakes was a neat feature. :) Water hazards - I know they were there (7 of them), but not a lot that forced carry overs (an issue for me as I don't do well with the liquid grass). Hole 18 you have to play up, and then over a creek; but throughout, most were aligned to the left or right, with only one other hole (6) that got a little tricky as it wrapped from front right and all around to the back of the green.
Cart Girl was pleasant and frequent. Clubhouse/Pro Shop facilities Class Act! Excellent food Hostess/Serving staff/and Ambiance. Outdoor patio overlooking holes 9 and 18 was the Perfect view to a PERFECT FIVE STAR course. This course will certainly be one on our A-List to play again one day (hopefully many more days to come). I simply can not say enough positives about Desert Willows GC and the Greenskeeper players that added to a funfilled day. Simply one of the absolute "BEST" - well worth every dollar to play. FABULOUS!!!

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

Played Thurs. afternoon 9/13 course was in great shape. My only drawback was the speed of the greens. they were very slow. The only thing I noticed there were no rakes for the bunkers. I was told the ... Continue »

Played Thurs. afternoon 9/13 course was in great shape. My only drawback was the speed of the greens. they were very slow. The only thing I noticed there were no rakes for the bunkers. I was told the next day playing another course with a buddy that they are hidden. Will play again.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

Played 8-30-12, Thursday before the Labor Day weekend. Pace of play was our pace, no one behind us, no one in front. Started at 10 a.m. My first time on the course and really enjoyed it. Only excep... Continue »

Played 8-30-12, Thursday before the Labor Day weekend. Pace of play was our pace, no one behind us, no one in front. Started at 10 a.m. My first time on the course and really enjoyed it. Only exception was the green...very slow. Even down hill putts stopped way short of the cup. It didn't look like the greens were mowed that day. Reaching down to run hand over the surface and it felt like the grass was fairly tall for putting greens. I didn't see any maintenance crew out there. Don't know if Thursdays are off days for mowing or because of the threat of thunder storms predicted in Palm Springs.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews

Played on 09-02-12 so it was labor day weekend. Not surprisingly the pace of play was much slower than usual (almost 5 hours) for an 8am tee time. Tee boxes, fairways, and rough all plush with few thi... Continue »

Played on 09-02-12 so it was labor day weekend. Not surprisingly the pace of play was much slower than usual (almost 5 hours) for an 8am tee time. Tee boxes, fairways, and rough all plush with few thin spots. Bunkers were nice and well maintained as usual for the Desert Willow courses. Greens however were exceptionally slow, even for this time of year.

Desert Willow Resort Golf Course Review
Palm Springs California Golf Course Reviews