Award-Winning Golf. Unforgettable Experiences. Desert Willow Delivers.
Celebrating Excellence in Desert Golf
Discover the accolades that define Desert Willow as a premier destination for golf, events, and hospitality.
At Desert Willow Golf Resort, our commitment to excellence is not just a promise, it’s a proven standard recognized by the industry’s top authorities. Nestled in the heart of Palm Desert, our courses and clubhouse have received accolades from Golf Digest, Golfweek, GOLFPASS, and more for outstanding design, pristine playing conditions, and world-class service. From national rankings to local community awards, Desert Willow continues to set the bar for resort golf in Southern California.
Awards Highlights
- National Golf Course Owners Association: Jemsek Course of the Year – West Region (2025)
- Golfweek: Top 200 Resort Courses, Best Courses You Can Play in California, and Best Municipal Courses
- GOLFPASS: Top 50 U.S. Public Courses, Best Course Layouts, and Off-Course Amenities
- Club + Resort Business: Top 12 Resort Patios and Top 50 Pro Shops
- Boardroom Magazine: Distinguished Golf Destination, 4 Years Running
- Greenskeeper.org: Best Playing Conditions in Palm Springs & Southern California
- LINKS Magazine: Top 10 Municipal Courses in the U.S.
- Inside Golf: #1 Public Golf Course in Palm Springs
- Golf Digest: Best Places to Play, Top Courses for Women
- Tripadvisor: Traveler’s Choice and Certificate of Excellence
CGCOA Course of the Year
California Golf Course Owners Association
– 2023 –
Silver Flag Award
59 Club
One of only six properties recognized
out of 210 clients across the United States
– 2023 –
Jemsek Regional Course of the Year – West Region
National Golf Course Owners Association
– 2025 –
Top 200 Resort Golf Courses
in the U.S.
Golfweek
– 2024 –
Firecliff Course
Consistently Ranked Among Golfweek’s Top 200 Resort Courses in the U.S.
- 2023: #139
- 2022: #134
- 2021: #129
- 2020: #140
- 2019: #130
Best Municipal Golf Courses
Golfweek
– 2014 –
Firecliff Course
Consistently Ranked Among Golfweek’s Best Municipal Golf Courses
- 2013: #33
Best Courses You Can Play
in California
Golfweek
– 2025 –
Firecliff Course
Consistently Ranked Among Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play in California
- 2024: #26
- 2023: #23
- 2021: #20
- 2020: #20
- 2019: #23
- 2018: #23
BOARDROOM Magazine
Distinguished Golf Destination
– 2024 –
– 2023 –
– 2022 –
– 2021 –
Top 10 Municipal Courses
in the US
LINKS Magazine
– 2024 –
Top Palm Springs
Public Golf Courses
Inside Golf
– 2024 –
Firecliff & Mountain View
Best of Desert Community’s Choice Awards
1st Place Best Public Golf Course
Desert Sun
– 2022 –
– 2020 –
– 2016 –
– 2008 –
– 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 –
Best of Desert Community’s Choice Awards
2nd Place Best Public Golf Course
Desert Sun
– 2012 –
– 2011 –
– 2010 –
Best Public Golf Course
CV Weekly
– 2014 –
Top 25 Public Golf Courses
in California
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2024 –
Mountain View Course
Top 50 U.S. Public Golf Courses
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2023 –
Mountain View Course
Best Courses in California
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2023 –
Mountain View Course
Best Courses in California
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2023 –
Firecliff Course
Top 50 U.S. Public Golf Courses
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2022 –
Firecliff Course
Best Courses in California
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2022 –
Firecliff Course
Best Courses in California
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2022 –
Mountain View Course
Top 25 Course Layouts
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2022 –
Firecliff Course
Top 25 Golf Courses
for Off-Course Amenities
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2022 –
Top 25 Public Golf Courses
in California
Golfpass – Golfer’s Choice
– 2024 –
Firecliff Course
Top Ranked Private Club
and Resort Patios
Club + Resort Business
– 2022 –
Top Ranked Private Club
and Resort Pro Shops
Club + Resort Business
– 2022 –
Top Ranked Private Club
and Resort Clubhouses
Club + Resort Business
– 2021 –
Top 50 Public Ranges
Golf Range Association of America
– 2019 –
– 2018 –
– 2017 –
– 2016 –
Best Playing Conditions
Palm Springs Region
Greenskeeper.org
– 2023 –
Best Playing Conditions
Southern California
Greenskeeper.org
– 2021 –
Best Golf Courses in California
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2021 –
Firecliff Course
Consistently Ranked Among Golf Advisor’s Best Golf Courses in California
- 2019: #28
Traveler’s Choice
Trip Advisor
– 2020 –
Top 25 California Courses
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2018 –
Mountain View Course
Consistently Ranked Among Golf Advisor’s Top California Courses
- 2017: #17 Firecliff Course
- 2016: #16 Mountain View Course
- 2014: #12 Mountain View Course
Top 25 Most-Improved Golf Courses
in the U.S.
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2017 –
Firecliff Course
Top 50 Golf Courses in the U.S.
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2017 –
Firecliff Course
Top 25 U.S. Courses
As Rated By Off-Course Amenities
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2016 –
Firecliff Course
Certificate of Excellence
Trip Advisor
– 2015 –
Best of Golf Advisor
Golf Advisor
– 2014 –
Best Places to Play
Golf Digest
– 2013 –
– 2012 –
– 2011 –
– 2010 –
– 2009 –
– 2008 –
– 2007 –
– 2006 –
– 2005 –
– 2004 –
– 2003 –
– 2002 –
– 2001 –
– 2000 –
Mountain View Course
Top 50 Courses For Women
Golf Digest
– 2013 –
– 2012 –
Mountain View Course
Top 50 Public Courses
GolfWorld
– 2010 –
Best Golf Course
Best Value
Best Scenic View
Best 18th Hole
Best 19th Hole
Southland Golf Magazine
– 2015 –
Top 25 California Courses
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2018 –
Mountain View Course
Consistently Ranked Among Golf Advisor’s Top California Courses
- 2017: #17 Firecliff Course
- 2016: #16 Mountain View Course
- 2014: #12 Mountain View Course
Top 25 Most-Improved Golf Courses
in the U.S.
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2017 –
Firecliff Course
Top 50 Golf Courses in the U.S.
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2017 –
Firecliff Course
Top 25 U.S. Courses
As Rated By Off-Course Amenities
Golf Advisor
Golfer’s Choice
– 2016 –
Firecliff Course
Certificate of Excellence
Trip Advisor
– 2015 –
Best of Golf Advisor
Golf Advisor
– 2014 –
Other Notable Awards
- Desert Golf Magazine
- 2014: Best Public Golf Courses in the Coachella Valley
- Desert Golf Guide
- 2013: Top 100 Holes
- Palm Springs Life
- 2006: Best Public Course
- Golf for Women Magazine
- 2005: 50 Best Courses for Women
- Fairways and Greens
- 2005: Best Par 5 in the Valley
In the Media: Spotlight on Desert Willow Golf Resort
Our reputation extends beyond the fairways. Desert Willow Golf Resort has been featured in prestigious publications including Smithsonian Magazine, Golf Digest, and FORE Magazine for our innovative course design, environmental sustainability, and elevated guest experience. From restoring native desert habitats to providing unmatched golf and hospitality, Desert Willow is a destination where nature, sport, and luxury intersect.
Smithsonian Magazine
Golf Gets Back to Nature, Inviting Everyone to Play
Jay Stuller | April 1, 1997
April of 1997, Desert Willow Golf Resort graced the cover of Smithsonian Magazine
(the only golf course to be so honored).
“…architect Michael Hurdzan created a public course that’s every bit a part of its desert enviroment by using plants native to the desert valley and limiting the grassy areas to a scant 75 to 80 acres.”
Golf Digest
The golf trips we’re dreaming about taking this winter
Jared Goldstein and Stephen Hennessey | November 6, 2021
“Public golfers should absolutely consider Desert Willow, which has 36 holes, and its Firecliff course ranking among Golf Digest’s best 30 public courses in California.”
Golf Digest
How golf is doing more to protect wildlife than ever before
Emma Francois | December 10, 2021
“There was nothing but mesquite, a few rabbits, few snakes,” he says. “Nothing appreciable because nothing wanted to live there.” Once his firm revegetated the area, it burst alive with hummingbirds, rabbits, coyotes and reptiles, none of which could have survived before. “By adding a golf course,” he says, “we made it extraordinarily rich.” – Dr. Michael Hurdzan –
FORE Magazine
Desert Delight At Desert Willow
Ken Van Vechten | 19th Hole – Summer 2021
“Sit a spell with a bite and a drink, whether you played 18, all 36, or have never snap-hooked a driver in your life….This ain’t granddad’s muni.”
Experience what the industry is raving about. Plan Your Visit today and see why Desert Willow Golf Resort continues to be one of the most awarded golf destinations in the country.
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