Fox, the highest-ranked Kiwi at the New Zealand Open, has taken the past three weeks off as he prepares for the tournament in Queenstown which starts tomorrow.
The 31-year-old hopes the break works for him over the next few days.
''It's probably the first time in a while I've come in here with a little bit of a rest and in good shape. Hopefully, that translates into a good week this week.
''I had a week of fishing, my main hobby outside golf. I spent most of last week practising, time with Marcus Wheelhouse, my coach. I managed to get to a cricket game last week which did not go the way New Zealand would have hoped.
''I do not get so much time at home during the year so it is always nice to be at home and do normal things well.
''I really want to win it this week. That really makes it hard as you put a bit of pressure on yourself, the expectation, your friends and family, they're watching, so that all adds to it. Hopefully, I have enough experience now to deal with it.
''You want to do well for them and do well for yourself ... I get to play with Dad [All Black great and national selector Grant Fox] a bit this week so that is always a bit of fun. He much prefers to being inside the ropes than outside the ropes looking in.
''He loved caddying for me, as an amateur or a pro. He is probably not the best person standing outside the rope; he just gets stressed out. He would rather be inside the ropes and having an idea of what was going on.''
Grant is on a four handicap but his son said the pressure was on him to get the Fox duo into the weekend's play.
An Open win was a big incentive for Fox, who is ranked 106th in the world.
''You talk to anyone from any country and their national open is one of the biggest events outside the majors and the WGC championships. Queenstown is a very special place and I have always enjoyed coming down to this place.
''It is not really a hard decision coming back every year. The fans are fantastic, we get treated really well and the golf courses are fantastic.''
His game is growing but it was more than hitting the ball in the right place.
''In general, the best players in the world believe that they are the best players in the world. There have been plenty of guys who have got to be top players on confidence alone ... it is the mental side of it, the confidence.
''Tiger had it for so many years and believed he could win. That is where you have got to get. It is a hard place to get to.
''Results help obviously. It is the old chicken and egg thing. You've got to believe to get the results but sometimes it is hard to believe without getting them. You have just got to keep working on it. The more guys you play with, the more years you are out there, you realise your game stacks up, And, hopefully, it kicks in.''
