News
Desert Willow Golf Resort Review
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
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Max Homa’s winning WITB: 2023 Farmers Insurance Open

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Black 65 TX
3-wood: Titleist TSR3 (16.5 degrees, C1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue TR 8 X
7-wood: Titleist TSR2 (21 degrees, C1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD XC 9 TX
Irons: Titleist T100S (4), T100 (5), Titleist 620 MB (6-9)
Shafts: KBS Tour $-Taper 130 X
Wedges: Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 50-12F, 56-14F, 60-04L)
Shafts: KBS TOUR $-Taper 130 X (46), KBS Hi Rev 2.0 125 S (56-60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5.5 prototype
Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
More Max Homa WITBs
- Max Homa WITB 2022 (July)
- Max Homa’s winning WITB: 2022 Wells Fargo Championship
- Max Homa’s winning WITB: 2021 Fortinet Championship
- Max Homa’s winning WITB: 2021 Genesis Invitational
- Max Homa WITB 2021 (January)
- Max Homa WITB 2020
- Max Homa’s winning WITB: 2019 Wells Fargo Championship
- Max Homa WITB 2017
- Max Homa WITB 2013
- LIKE38
- LEGIT8
- WOW3
- LOL1
- IDHT2
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK1
News
Morning 9: Ryder in front at Torrey | McIlroy-Reed showdown in Dubai? | Anthony Kim return talk

|
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
News
Morning 9: Teegate | Rahmpage | JT on Saturday finish | PGA Show

|
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
-
Equipment2 weeks ago
OLD vs. NEW: TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 irons vs. My modern irons (Full launch monitor numbers)
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
Report: PGA Tour pro expected to sign with LIV Golf next week
-
Equipment2 weeks ago
What’s the difference between Titleist’s new 2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x golf balls? Here’s a full breakdown
-
19th Hole3 days ago
Rory Mcilroy delivered a ruthless verdict when asked if he could rekindle friendship with Sergio Garcia
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago
‘I’m annoyed at the LPGA’ – Pros hit out at off-course conditions at season opener
-
Equipment2 weeks ago
Nelly Korda signs multi-year deal with TaylorMade; Korda’s 2023 TaylorMade WITB
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago
PGA Tour pro says LIV Golf ‘took all the a**holes’
-
Equipment4 days ago
Bettinardi is celebrating its 25th anniversary with limited putters runs. First up: BB1 MS
grasbunkers
Jul 19, 2008 at 8:59 pm
grasbunkers is 2 time club champ here
Nash Carr
Jul 9, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Great review Apryl. However, that hias to be one of the most “manufactured looking” golf ocurses I have ever seen, even for a desert course.
PS: I love the jack-elope!