The PGA Tour’s most relatable voice explains his digital detox and why he’s never looking back – plus what it really means for the future of athlete-fan connection

The Breaking Point

Max Homa didn’t just quietly slip away from social media – he torched the bridge on his way out. The 34-year-old PGA Tour star, who built one of golf’s most authentic online presences with 700,000 followers, pulled the plug on X (formerly Twitter) back in February and hasn’t looked back since.

Speaking to reporters this week at TPC Deere Run ahead of the John Deere Classic, Homa didn’t mince words about why he walked away from the platform that once made him golf’s most quotable personality.

“It’s a Safe Haven for Aholes”**

“Twitter or X or whatever is an awful, awful place,” Homa said with the kind of brutal honesty that made him a fan favorite in the first place. “It took me a while to catch on to how impactful that can be and how much of a waste of energy.”

The California native described the platform as overrun with “vitriol” and explained how it became a breeding ground for people who are “angry at themselves.” He pointed to the shocking comfort level people have with writing “awful things” from behind their keyboards – things they’d never say face-to-face.

The Gambling Factor

Homa didn’t stop there. He took direct aim at the rise of legalized sports gambling, suggesting it’s added fuel to the fire of online abuse directed at athletes. “People say some bad, bad things on the internet. You get people telling you you should die on the internet,” he revealed.

It’s a sobering reminder of what professional athletes face daily – not just the pressure to perform, but the constant barrage of hatred from strangers who have money riding on their every shot.

The Human Cost

What makes Homa’s departure particularly striking is what he’s giving up. As one of the most engaging personalities in professional golf, his social media presence was genuine gold – a direct line to fans that most athletes never achieve. “I miss the connection with the fans,” he admitted, “but nothing comes without so much hate and anger.”

The irony isn’t lost: the platform that once amplified his personality and built his brand ultimately became too toxic for the person who made it work so well.

The Real-World Difference

Perhaps most telling was Homa’s observation about in-person interactions versus online encounters. “I have yet to meet somebody in person who has said anything even remotely mean,” he noted. It’s a stark reminder that the internet often brings out the worst in people, while face-to-face interactions tend to reveal our better angels.

What This Means for Golf

Homa’s exit represents more than just one player’s personal choice – it’s a canary in the coal mine for how social media toxicity is affecting athlete mental health. When someone as naturally suited for the medium as Max Homa can’t handle it anymore, it raises serious questions about the sustainability of these platforms for public figures.

The good news? Homa hasn’t gone completely dark. He’s shifted his energy to Instagram and TikTok, where he continues to showcase the personality that made him such a beloved figure in the first place. Sometimes the best move isn’t to fight the current – it’s to find cleaner waters.