A family summer back in the North East was just what Chris Paisley needed in the middle of the season
It has been a quiet period competitively since my last column, but that doesn’t been I’ve not been busy.
There has been a break in the Challenge Tour schedule and I’ve missed a few events in order to spend time with my family in the North East. When I have played, it has been frustrating. I seem to be in one of those runs where I am practising and playing well at home, but not realising that performance in tournaments. After a fast start to the year, I have stalled a little, but it feels like I’m close to shooting good scores again.
We decided to spend my daughters’ summer holidays in the North East with my side of the family this year. As well as being home, we got out of the unbearable heat of the Orlando summer, and it has cut down on my travel time during the European-based part of the schedule. We’re lucky to have an amazing family and I always cherish our summers here. The upside of living in a different country is that we make the most of our time together when we get it.
I’ve played two events while over here, but I’ve also had quite a few off weeks, which has been really nice. Getting the balance of working on my game and being a good father and husband right has always been difficult. Fortunately, I have a very special and understanding wife!
My practice has consisted of a bit of everything. The swing work I am doing with Nico [Andrew Nicholson] has been very consistent, and we’re both fairly happy with how it is going.
I have made an effort to increase how much I play on the course in my off weeks too. It is my nature to end up practising, drilling and testing all day – but there is a certain sharpness that can only be attained by playing. I’ve had several games with my dad at my home club, Stocksfield, which is such a fun course to play. We also had a game at Dunstanburgh Castle, where I shot 65 and witnessed an incredible 63 by North East & North West PGA secretary Steve Harrison!
I’ve also spent some time on the short game area at [my brother] Andy’s club, Hexham, and recorded some tips which I shared on Instagram. This came about organically while I was working on my bunker play one day and people seem to have enjoyed them. Head over to my page if you are interested, and be sure to get some work in around the greens, it’s so important and can really lower your scores quickly.
