Sports and political junkies are revved up this time of year with football, last week's World Series, and Tuesday's Presidential election. But golfers are going into hibernation, especially with the king of the bears (Tiger) having to rehab his leg.

The much-hyped end- of-year FedEx Cup was once again a blowout yawner with Vijay Singh taking the $10,000,000 annuity while sleep walking through the final event. Golf is done until the Masters in April.

So what's the best way to take advantage of the Carolina's best weather this fall other than heading to the mountains for a parkway tour of the changing of leaves and a stop off for fresh mountain apples?

Develop your golf plan to get better during the off-season so that in six months you'll be ready to play your best golf.

Here's some things to remember:

Basics for a golf plan: First, get excited and learn how you can get better. The Charlotte to Rock Hill corridor has some of the best golf instruction in the world. Take advantage of it.

You will find that two basic elements make up good golf. One is mechanical technique-learned skill, and the other is physical athleticism: be in shape to do it. Tiger may be the best example of all time. He hired the best coaches in the world in Butch Harmon and Hank Haney. He also has the most rigorous exercise routine of any golf athlete.

Exercise: Good health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself. Begin by walking and stretching. If you have a few extra pounds that need to go, drop three a month and by next March you'll be 18 pounds lighter.

Create Budgets for Money, Time, and Equipment: We aren't in a period of financial abundance which means that we are more frugal with the money we do have to spend on recreation.

Set aside a few hundred dollars for your golf and allocate your "learning" time. One hour a week for the next six months and you've spent a total of just one day (24 hours) getting better. Re-grip your clubs. Consider an upgrade.

Measure Your Progress: Get some statistical basics. Handicap. Greens in regulation. Putts per green. Driving distance. Birdies, Pars, Bogeys, Others per round. Measure each month but especially establish October 2008 as your benchmark. Measure again in March of 2009.

Start: Take the first step. Contact your PGA professional today and develop a program that will ensure you accomplish your goals. And you'll come out of this hibernation ready to play your best golf in time for next year's Masters.