Hole #14 - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland - 210 yards Par 3

Like Augusta National, Royal Portrush narrowly missed inclusion in my Dream 18 previously (5th hole), but it was worth the wait.  Like most of the holes in the Dream 18, there simply is not another hole in the world like the 14th at Royal Portrush.  Both the tee and the green are perched 50+ feet above the wild fescue-covered dunes to the right.  The view from the tee is spectacular as most of the course can be seen, as well as the Irish Sea to the right.  The shot itself is uncompromising as anything short or left will be in heavy rough 50 feet below the green (and still in play!).  There is a small collection area just left of the green that offers some safe harbor for a "good miss," but too far left and you are in heavy rough with little chance for an up and down.  The green is fairly large, but looks like a speck on the horizon from the tee, and contains modest interior contours to ensure that the challenge of the hole is not over even if you hit the green.  It is one of the great tees in golf, and one of the most awe-inspiring holes in the world.

Next best:  Shinneock Hills, St. Andrews (Old), Crystal Downs, Pine Valley
Most likely to take its place, but have not yet played: Royal Dornoch