Desert Willow Golf Resort — Mountain View

Mountain View is the more forgiving of Desert Willow Golf Resort's two Hurdzan/Fry layouts, and its name is entirely accurate. The course plays at 6,913 yards with a slope of 129, and the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountain ranges are visible from virtually every hole. On clear mornings during peak season, when the air is still and the mountains carry snow above the treeline, the visual setting competes with the golf for attention.

Hurdzan and Fry opened Mountain View alongside Firecliff in 1997, designing the two courses as complementary experiences. Where Firecliff uses desert washes and elevation change to create a demanding test, Mountain View takes a gentler approach. The fairways are wider, the forced carries are shorter, and the green complexes are more receptive to approach shots that arrive from imperfect angles. The slope difference between the two courses is nine points (129 versus 138), which translates to roughly three to four strokes for a mid-handicap golfer.

The course integrates natural desert landscaping throughout. Native plants, rock formations, and natural terrain features define the boundaries of play without creating the punitive hazards that characterize Firecliff. The design trusts the landscape to frame the golf rather than control it, and the result is a course that feels open and inviting while still presenting choices on every hole.

Green complexes are straightforward by Hurdzan/Fry standards. They accept approach shots from a range of angles and reward solid contact over precise trajectory. Pin positions create variety without creating unfairness. The greens run at speeds consistent with the rest of the Desert Willow operation, which means firm, true surfaces that reward confident putting.

Conditioning is maintained to the same municipal standard as Firecliff. The city of Palm Desert's investment in the property ensures overseeded fairways during peak season, consistent green speeds, and course infrastructure that includes a complete practice facility shared with Firecliff.

At $130 to $200 during peak season and $73 to $100 off-peak, Mountain View sits slightly below Firecliff in pricing. The difference is modest, but for groups choosing between the two courses on a limited schedule, the choice often comes down to skill level and preference. Stronger players who want to be tested should choose Firecliff. Groups with mixed abilities, or golfers who prefer a scenic, lower-pressure round, will find Mountain View the more enjoyable experience. Both courses are available through Desert Willow directly and through GolfNow.