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Desert Willow Golf Resort Review

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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

 

 

 

 

 

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. grasbunkers

    Jul 19, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    grasbunkers is 2 time club champ here

  2. 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!

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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