After some careful consideration, I feel I need to weigh in on this thread.
Worplesdon is a really, really good heathland course. I was very surprised at how good it is considering I had never heard of it before getting to England. I was lucky enough to play the course twice during my stay in London, and the course definitely got better the second time around.
The road crossing is totally worth the danger to get to the dynamite holes at 11-14. Everyone here seems to appreciate 11-13 greatly, as they should. I think 14 is a more subtle hole that is equally deserving of praise. I love how this hole uses the left-to right land perfectly on the tee shot. This slope forces the player to choose between the two sides of the fairway, both of which offer benefits and costs. The left side certainly presents the better angle into the green, but it requires the golfer to flirt with the left-hand fairway bunkers and, more importantly, usually leaves the golfer with a hanging lie. The right side will leave an awkward angle, but the fairway levels on the right to leave a golfer with a flat lie into the green. I prefer the right side of the fairway, but others might disagree. That is the beauty of the hole! It is my favorite type of hole: it gives the player multiple options because of its width and its use of the natural terrain.
Additionally, Mr. Warren and co. seem to ignore the merits of the 10th. Sure, the water hazard is a bit out of place, but the pond does not affect the dominant strategy of the hole. Appearances aside, the 10th is my favorite type of short par three: it presents, at first glance, an easy target in a big green. However, three tiers and a centerline ridge divide the green into six sections. This layout means that the hole actually requires a very precise shot if the player wishes to score well. The 10th might not be all-world, but it is one of my favorite short threes.
As good as the 10-14 stretch is at Worplesdon, 3-7 is nearly its equal. The centerline bunker at 3 is simple yet brilliant. The 4th is a very cool and diabolical uphill par three, where any miss left runs 50 yards away from the green. The fifth has a great diagonal tee shot over a field over heather and a phenomenal green, and it might be my favorite on the course. 6's fall-away green is stunning and very severe--the back bunkers actually provide the best place to miss! The 7th is a very tough uphill par three with a cool green. I suppose I could rave about nearly every hole at Worpie like this, but you all get the picture.
As much as I like Worplesdon, I don't think it is quite up to the standard of a course like Woking. Woking greens are completely unique, and Worplesdon doesn't quite have that unique element to it. Overall, though, Worplesdon is definitely worth seeing on a UK trip.