Remember when Max Homa was the guy you’d tag for a brutal swing roast? Well, that same man now believes it’s “a lot smarter to surround yourself with real people than whatever that is on the internet.” Talk about a complete 180-degree turn from golf’s former social media king. Furthermore, his transformation tells a story about modern golf’s relationship with digital toxicity.

Homa doubled down on his social media stance during Thursday’s post-round press conference at the John Deere Classic. Reporters pressed him about his viral comments from the previous day, calling X an “awful place.” Additionally, they questioned whether he felt motivated to respond to critics online.

“The further I’ve removed myself from Twitter, the more you stop thinking about it,” Homa explained calmly. He emphasized how draining social media becomes for professional athletes. “It’s probably in the back of my mind, and I just wouldn’t—I just—there is just no point to give any attention to that.”

The six-time PGA Tour winner then delivered his most telling statement about human connection. “Like I said, my friends and family, a lot of strangers out here any week on the road are so kind,” he continued. Furthermore, he contrasted real-world interactions with digital toxicity. “It is a lot smarter to surround yourself with real people than whatever that is on the internet.”

Reporters followed up about whether his comments sparked locker room discussions. However, Homa revealed the casual nature of professional golf relationships. “No. We don’t really talk about much golf stuff,” he said matter-of-factly. Subsequently, he described their simple routine: “We just try to live our lives and then go play 18 holes and go back inside and do it again.”

His final exchange proved most revealing about his current mindset. “Yeah, I guess. I just talk, and I don’t know if people listen,” Homa admitted when asked if his comments flew under the radar. Moreover, he showed complete detachment from social media drama: “But, yeah, I don’t talk to the guys about all that.”

Homa’s current stance creates a stark contrast with his previous online persona. Previously, he built a 690,000-strong following on X with brutal swing critiques that entertained golf fans worldwide. For instance, he once told Julian Edelman, “It’s ironic how far you are from the slot.” Similarly, he delivered devastating roasts to amateur golfers seeking feedback.

Evolution from Golf’s Premier Social Media Roast Master

His roasting career began during holiday downtime in 2019. Gordon Ramsay’s cooking critiques inspired his golf swing takedowns. Subsequently, fans flooded his mentions with swing videos. Homa responded with increasingly creative insults that built his social media empire. However, the platform’s toxic environment eventually overwhelmed the entertainment value. These experiences led to his gradual withdrawal from digital engagement.

Golf fans now highlight the irony in his transformation. “Twitter is only fun when you’re the one being mean to people about their golf swings,” one fan noted. Another added, “That was his whole thing on X, look inward, Max!”

His philosophy centers on authentic human interaction over digital validation. Real people offer genuine support, free from the toxicity that often overwhelms online platforms. Consequently, Homa believes this approach provides better mental health outcomes for professional athletes navigating public scrutiny.

What do you think about Homa’s complete social media transformation? Can professional athletes truly disconnect from platforms that helped build their fame?