Worplesdon Golf Club
Laid out by John Abercromby in 1908 with Willie Park Junior shaping the greens and bunkers, Worplesdon is one of the classic Surrey heathland courses in the celebrated cluster around Woking. A par 71 of about 6,440 yards through heather, pine and silver birch, it prizes position and nerve over raw length, and has changed remarkably little in more than a century.
Photo: Worplesdon Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Worplesdon belongs to the golden cluster of Surrey heathland courses around Woking, sandy, fast draining ground that produces some of the best inland golf in England. John Abercromby laid it out in 1908, with Willie Park Junior lending his hand to the greens and bunkers, and the course has survived largely intact, a rare thing among courses of its age.
It is a par 71 of about 6,440 yards, a test of accuracy rather than brute strength, with heather and gorse waiting either side of fairways framed by pine and silver birch. The strategic bunkering and the firm, true greens reward the player who plots a route and controls the ball flight. Worplesdon is also steeped in history as the home of the famous Mixed Foursomes, contested every autumn since 1921.
Worplesdon at a glance
- Opened
- 1908
- Designer
- John Abercromby, Willie Park Jnr
- Type
- Heathland
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 6,440 yds
- Green fee
- From about 220 pounds (indicative)
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Worplesdon Golf Club and leading course databases. Worplesdon was laid out by John Abercromby in 1908 with Willie Park Junior, a par 71 of about 6,440 yards. The indicative 2026 visitor green fee is from about 220 pounds for 18 holes in high season, with a day rate from about 300 pounds; visitors play Monday to Friday and a handicap certificate is required. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Worplesdon is a study in heathland strategy, the fairways winding between banks of heather and stands of pine and birch on sandy, fast running turf. The front nine rolls over more varied ground, leaving the player with awkward stances and tempting lines, and the holes demand commitment, because a tentative shot into the heather is a stroke gone.
The greens are the test, firm, subtly contoured and quick, and they reward an approach flighted to the correct portion rather than simply fired at the flag. The bunkering is classic and well placed, and the par 5 11th, long admired enough to feature among collections of great holes, captures the course's blend of beauty and strategy.
The back nine settles onto flatter ground but keeps its teeth through clever bunkering and those quick greens, and the closing holes bring the round home in keeping with the calm, timeless feel of the place. Worplesdon pairs perfectly with Woking and the other heathland gems nearby for one of the finest inland golf trips in England.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club welcoming visitors Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays |
| Green fee | From about 220 pounds for 18 holes in high season; day ticket from about 300 pounds (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Book in advance through the office; a valid handicap certificate is required |
| On the day | Walking on firm heathland turf; the clubhouse offers traditional Surrey hospitality |
| Getting there | Near Woking in Surrey, about 40 minutes from central London and close to Heathrow |
| Best months | April to October for the heathland in full colour and the firmest turf |
Access and fee guidance verified June 2026; visitor policies and rates change, so always confirm current pricing and tee time availability directly with the club before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in or around Woking and Guildford, with easy access to the whole Surrey heathland cluster, or stay nearer London and drive out for each round. The region is well served by country house hotels that cater to golfers.
The Surrey sandbelt is one of the great inland golf regions, so Worplesdon sits naturally on an itinerary alongside Woking, Sunningdale, Swinley Forest and Wentworth. With London and both Heathrow and Gatwick close by, it makes an easy and rewarding golf trip.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Woking.
Build a Surrey heathland golf trip
We pair Worplesdon with the great Surrey heathland courses, secure the tee times and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Worplesdon questions
Who designed Worplesdon and when did it open?
Worplesdon was designed by John Abercromby in 1908, with Willie Park Junior contributing to the greens and bunkering. It is one of the classic Surrey heathland courses near Woking.
What is the par and length of Worplesdon?
Worplesdon is a par 71 of about 6,440 yards, a heathland test that prizes accuracy through heather, pine and birch over raw length.
How much does it cost to play Worplesdon?
The indicative 2026 visitor green fee is from about 220 pounds for 18 holes in high season, with a day ticket from about 300 pounds. Visitors play Monday to Friday and a handicap certificate is required. Always confirm current rates before booking.
What is the Worplesdon Mixed Foursomes?
It is a celebrated mixed foursomes match play competition first contested at Worplesdon in 1921, won over the years by many of the great names in amateur golf, and a key part of the club's history.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.