Located in Palm Desert, California, the Desert Willow Golf Resort is a beautifully maintained oasis surrounded by the breathtaking Santa Rosa Mountains. A 33,000 square foot clubhouse with men’s and women’s locker rooms, expansive pro shop, and a climate-controlled terrace is part of the resort.   This location has received rave reviews from the likes of Golf Digest and the Los Angeles Times – and for good reason.

There are two courses to play at Desert Willow.  The Mountain View is a par 72 and 6,913 yards.  This course has 98 bunkers and seven water features to provide a challenge.  The Firecliff is the more exigent of the two courses with over 100 bunkers, numerous water features, and narrower fairways.  The Desert Willow brochure touts this as a course that “demands the player’s full attention”.  Indeed it does.

This resort has enough amenities that will cause you to forget that you’re at a public course.  We dropped off our clubs at the entrance with the valet and went in to check in.  After taking in the clubhouse, we walked out to a fully-stocked cart.  By fully stocked I mean cooler full of ice, tees, towels, and Uplink GPS with electronic scorecard.  The electronic system in the cart has a summons for the food cart and an emergency call.  The starter directed us to the driving range, first tee, and many water/restroom stations.  Included with your green fee is the practice range and as many balls as you would like to hit.  In addition, just when you’re getting a bit thirsty you come across one of the many strategically-placed water/ice/restroom stations.

The entire course is beautifully maintained (see my photos below) and a real joy to play.  We chose a day and time where we nearly had the place to ourselves and had a great time.  The natural beauty and wildlife is an excellent part of the whole experience.  As you go to tee off, its not unusual to see wild rabbits chasing each other through the fairway.  One could get caught up in bird watching as well.  I do have to warn you about the desert heat if you are not accustomed to it.  I’m personally a Southern California native that spent college days working outside in the Florida heat.  My husband is a Florida native that spent his life playing baseball outside in the heat.  I would argue that we are uniquely qualified to play 18 holes in the desert in July.  Even so, we drank water the entire time, slathered on sunblock 30 every few holes, and each had a sandwich that we nibbled through holes 8-10.  I cannot stress enough that playing in the desert is no joke and not for the unprepared. 

Green fees range from $35 summer twilight to $175 spring prime.

Check out this link for promotions and deals: http://www.desertwillow.com/layout10.asp?id=186&page=4288

On November 1-2, 2008, the resort will also be hosting the Palm Desert Golf Expo which has manufacturers, clothing, teaching aides, restaurants, and a kid zone.

13th hole, par 5, 550 yards (black)

15th hole, par 4, 332 yards (black)

18th hole, par 5, 536 yards (black)

 Local resident