Phil Mickelson ... Tiger Woods ... Tom Kite ... Tom Watson ... and Jack Nicklaus.These golf legends have one thing in common: Pebble Beach magic.

Pebble Beach Golf Links has hosted many memorable U.S. Open Championships, including:

1972 - Jack Nicklaus' winning flagstick shot on 17

1982 - Tom Watson's bunker birdie on 17

1992 - Tom Kite's first "Major" championship

2000 - Tiger Woods' dominating 15-stroke victory

The most recent triumph came in February 2007, when Phil Mickelson marched the path of redemption and captured the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am crown (his first tour victory since his 2006 U.S. Open meltdown).

Pebble Beach is setting the stage for more golf magic in 2010, when it will host the 110th U.S. Open Championship.

By taking a trip out to California's beautiful Carmel Bay, you too can make your own memories and play where the pro's play.

Pebble Beach Golf Links is ranked the No. 1 Public Course in America by Golf Digest in 2005. It was built in 1919 just following WWI and has a total course length of 6737 yards (Blue Rating). Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course hugs the rugged coastline, featuring cliff-side fairways and wide-open vistas. It's a delightful challenge for all players.

Par 3's are a special treat at Pebble Beach, where prevailing ocean winds can swirl around the hole and drastically affect a player's club selection from moment to moment.

The new 5th Hole, designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1998, sits atop the bluffs of beautiful Stillwater Cove. Ocean breezes and a deceptively sloping green make this 187-yard hole a fun challenge. The safest play is to the left-center of the green, but make sure not to let it run too far down this slick, sloping green.

The 7th Hole is the shortest hole in major championship golf at 106 yards, but don't let the short distance fool you. Let the wind be your guide, just like eventual champion Tom Kite did in the 1992 U.S. Open when he hit a sand wedge for his tee shot on Saturday and a 6-iron on Sunday. Also, try not to be distracted by the scenic backdrop of this hole, where sparkling blue water, rolling green hills, and a patchwork of puffy white clouds tempt the eye.

While the par 3's add some spice to your round (with 5 par-3 holes in total), there are plenty of holes that favor long, accurate drivers.

The 10th Hole par 4 stretches 430 yards along Carmel Bay and slopes toward the water. Any ball hit toward the center or right of the fairway will likely roll into deep rough, so keep your drive long and to the left.

The 18th Hole par 5 is a long 543 yards with the blue ocean to the left and emerald green fairways straight ahead. Only two monster shots will get a player on in 2, so your best bet is playing for 3 shots to the green.

Walking off the 18th Hole towards the clubhouse, with Carmel Bay fading behind into memory, you're sure to feel an air of satisfaction knowing that you've just played in the footsteps of golf's greatest legends at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

This is Article #1 in a series on Pebble Beach Golf Courses.

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