You’re standing on the 11th tee at Dad Miller Golf Course, staring at a 107-yard par three. It looks simple. It’s short. But this little stretch of turf is exactly where Harold George "Dad" Miller made a Guinness World Record hole-in-one at 93 years old. This place has soul. It’s also the same dirt where a young Eldrick "Tiger" Woods spent his freshman year playing for Western High School.
But honestly? Trying to snag Dad Miller tee times can feel like trying to win the lottery if you don't know the system.
The course is a municipal gem in Anaheim. Because it’s affordable and carries that legendary Tiger lore, it stays packed. If you just show up on a Saturday morning hoping to walk on, you’re probably going to spend three hours eating a breakfast burrito at the Fore Thirty Bar & Grill before you even see the starter.
The Secret to Booking Dad Miller Tee Times
Booking here isn't just about clicking a button. It’s about understanding the hierarchy. Anaheim manages its tee sheets with a very specific "priority" window that rewards the locals.
If you’re a regular Joe Public, you get a 7-day window. That’s it. You log on at midnight or call the pro shop at 714-765-3481 exactly a week before you want to play. By 7:05 AM, the choice morning slots are usually gone.
But wait. There’s a "Premium Advanced Reservation" option. For a non-refundable fee, you can actually book up to 14 days in advance. It’s a bit of a "pay-to-play" skip-the-line pass. If you're planning a birthday round or trying to impress your boss, pay the fee. It beats the stress.
The Resident Advantage
Anaheim residents have it made. If you have the Resident Pass, you also get that 14-day window without the extra "premium" fee. You just have to prove you live there with a utility bill or car registration.
- Public: 7 days out.
- Players Club Members: 10 days out.
- Anaheim Residents: 14 days out.
- Premium Takers: 14 days out (for a fee).
It’s a tiered system that keeps the course accessible to the community while letting the city generate a little extra revenue from the out-of-towners.
Why Everyone Obsesses Over the Price
Let's talk money. Golf in Southern California is getting ridiculously expensive. You go to some tracks in South OC or over the hill in Riverside, and you’re dropping $150 for a mediocre layout.
Dad Miller is different. It’s "dynamic pricing," which is basically a fancy way of saying it’s like booking an Uber or a flight. If demand is high (think Saturday at 8:00 AM), the price goes up. If it’s a Tuesday at 2:00 PM when it’s 95 degrees out, you can find steals.
You’ll generally see rates ranging from $30 to $65 depending on when you play and if you’re riding or walking. It’s one of the few places left where you can walk 18 holes for the price of a decent steak dinner.
The Players Club "Hack"
If you play more than twice a month, the Players Club is basically a no-brainer. It’s about $50 a month. You get discounted green fees (usually 20-30% off), a free large bucket of range balls every single day, and—the best part—a drink ticket with every round.
Yes, that includes beer.
What the Course Is Actually Like
Don’t come here expecting Pebble Beach. It’s a muni. The tee boxes can be a bit chewed up. The fairways sometimes have those "mystery puddles" even when it hasn't rained in three weeks.
But the greens? They’re surprisingly good. They usually roll true and aren't nearly as treacherous as they look.
The course is short. Like, really short. It’s a par 71 that barely breaks 5,800 yards from the tips. You don’t need a massive driver. You need a straight 7-iron. The back nine is where the real fun starts—specifically holes 11 through 15. There are some awkward angles and trees that seem to jump out and grab your ball if you’re not careful.
Pace of Play: The Elephant in the Room
Here’s the truth: Dad Miller can be slow.
It’s a "people’s course." You’ll see beginners, seniors, and high school kids. On a busy weekend, a five-hour round is standard. Sometimes it pushes five and a half.
If you’re a "speed golfer," this place might drive you crazy. But if you go in with the mindset that you’re there to hang out, enjoy the Anaheim sun, and maybe see where Tiger used to grind, it’s a blast.
The Tiger Woods Factor
You can't talk about Dad Miller without mentioning the Tiger Woods Learning Center. It’s right there, a $25 million facility that Tiger donated to help kids with science, math, and—obviously—golf.
There’s a certain vibe playing next to that center. You see the kids out there practicing, and you realize this isn't just a patch of grass. It's a legacy. The city almost turned the course into a park a few years back because of budget issues, but the community fought for it.
They won. For now.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Round
- Download the App: They have a mobile app that sometimes shows "hot deals" you won't find on the main site.
- Use the Virtual Waitlist: If you missed out on a tee time, use their virtual waitlist. It texts you if someone cancels. People cancel all the time.
- Walk if You Can: It’s a very flat course. Walking saves you money and, honestly, it’s usually faster than waiting for your cart partner to find their ball in the trees.
- The 11th Hole: Don't overthink it. It’s 107 yards. Just swing easy. If a 93-year-old could ace it, you can at least hit the green.
- Check the Aeration Schedule: Nothing ruins a round like "chocolate chip" greens. Call the pro shop before you book to make sure they haven't just punched the greens.
If you want to play, your best bet is to set an alarm for 12:00 AM exactly seven days before your desired date. Log into the portal, have your credit card saved in your browser, and move fast. The "early bird" slots go first, but the "twilight" times are where the real value is if you don't mind finishing in the dark.
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Get out there. Enjoy the history. Just make sure you fix your ball marks—the locals will thank you.