GOLF is booming - and Hampshire is one of the main counties for playing the sport in England. Today Daily Echo golf reporter Bob Brunskell starts his tour of 50 of the top courses in Hampshire. We'll feature a course every week for the next 50 weeks to bring all golf enthusiasts an in-depth look at where they can play.

Southampton was hailed as the best municipal golf course in England when it was opened just before the last war.

Five times Open champion JH Taylor came up with a clever design of three loops with three different starting points.

Forgiving enough not to frighten beginners, its length suited the more experienced golfer while the course itself basked in a lovely woodland setting despite the close proximity of the city centre.

It was the brainchild of Sir Sidney Kimber, part of a futuristic Sports Centre complex which marked Southampton out as municipal trend-setter in those pre-war years. Golf had been a rich man's game in Southampton, like it was everywhere else.

The new Municipal course changed all that and, when the game started to boom through the 1980s and '90s, there were close to 200,000 rounds played there each year.

As more 'pay as you play' facilities opened up in South Hampshire, the figures dropped to as low as 70,000 a year - although they are now on the up again and close to 100,000.

The course took a battering from the battalions of golfers who converged on it, but now, after a major investment by the city council, it's had a major overhaul.

And it is looking so good that it's luring people back to play not just the 18-hole course but the nine-holer that sits alongside, which really is ideal for beginners.

Work has not just been done on the course. There are plans to refurbish the clubhouse, which is headquarters for the Southampton Club with it's men's, ladies, senior and junior sections.

With a £40 joining fee and a £30 annual subscription (green fees are £13 for weekdays and £18 at weekends), it provides it's 300 members with busy programme of competitions - the biggest of which is the Southampton Open at the end of June.

The Muni is a fascinating mix of holes. You become quickly aware of that with a long, 469-yard second fhole ollowing a gentle 158-yard par-three opener.

The eighth, with its raised green and pond underneath, demands good iron play, the 12th is a teasing dog leg and the 17th is a breathtaking par three over a valley.

Southampton club secretary Don Campbell says: "Birdies are hard to make as many greens are elevated and you can't actually see the holes."

The Muni has been the home of some golfing legends in the county, like long surviving post-war pro Fred Bowdrey and Jack Mason, rated one of the finest teachers of his day.

John Cave turned the club shop into one of the most competitive in the county while a ex-Southampton pro, Wayne Stevens, put the club on the map when he led the first day of The Open back in the 1980s.

NAME: Southampton Muncipal

LOCATION: Golf Course Road, Bassett Southampton - three miles from the city centre and close to M27 and M3 motorway links. From the Chilworth Road roundabout, go down to Winchester Road roundabout and come back on youself before turning left down Bassett Avenue. Alternatively, turn left coming up from the town centre.

COURSE: 18-hole woodland course with an adjacent nine-hole course.

Yardage: Nine hole: 2,389 yards. 18 hole: 6,203 yards, par 69.

COURSE RECORD: 64 - Phil Dedman.

GREEN FEES: Nine hole - weekdays £6; weekends £8.50; 18 hole - weekdays £13; weekends £18.

NB - Discount with council leisure card

MEMBERSHIP FEES: £40 to join, £30 annual subscription.

MEMBERSHIP DETAILS: Men's secretary Don Campbell 07720 846713; ladies secretary Ann Nyland 023 8076 9817.

AVAILABILITY: Pay and play, although it is possible to book seven days in advance.

SOCIETIES: By arrangement.

FACILITIES: Two putting greens; 18-acre practice area, practice nets and chipping green, clubhouse, ample parking.

COURSE PRO: Mark Wheeler 023 80768407.

SHOP MANAGER: Peter Deacon 023 8076 8407

BOOKINGS: 023 8076 0546.