What Happened to Max Homa? A Deep Dive into the Golf Star’s Recent Struggles

There are few golfers out there that get me excited quite like Max Homa. Seriously, watching him play is like catching your favorite movie on a lazy Sunday; it just hits right. One of the standout features of his game is that swing—smooth as butter and reminiscent of how you’d aim a well-crafted wedge. It’s like he’s got a first-class ticket to Tempo Town, swinging his driver with the finesse most of us only dream about.

But it’s not just his swing that draws me and many others in. Max is one of those genuinely good guys in sports—a fellow you’d love to grab a beer with once the round is over. His story is captivating. He started as a rock star amateur at Cal, which had an incredible golf team, then faced the tough reality of professional golf by finding himself in the depths of the Korn Ferry Tour. Yet, he clawed his way back and has been on fire in the past few years, showcasing some jaw-dropping golf and making a name for himself as a premier talent.

Just look at Homa’s accolades: a victory in 2019, followed by two wins each in 2021 and 2022, and he added another in 2023. Let’s be real—six Tour wins isn’t just a fluke; that’s a whole career for some big names like Rickie Fowler! By January 2024, he held the No. 8 spot in Data Golf standings, and his performance on the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team was impressive, finishing with a 3-1-1 record. But then came a twist that no one saw coming.

After such a stellar run, Homa’s game went through some serious turbulence. His ranking started its painful descent, plummeting week by week. As of this week, he’s sitting at No. 149 in Data Golf and No. 117 worldwide. For perspective, he’s trailing behind Branden Grace, who got pushed to LIV golf, and Joel Dahmen, who’s had just one top-10 finish this whole year (a T10 at the Canadian Open). Ouch.

What’s even harder to digest is that Homa didn’t qualify for the U.S. Open or the Open Championship. Since May 2024, he’s managed just one top-10 finish, at a relatively minor event. If you’re a casual golfer, you totally get how fierce the sport can be. One day you’re hitting it straight, and the next, you’re struggling to make par. It’s a rollercoaster, and Homa knows that better than most.

It honestly breaks my heart to see a player of his caliber facing such a struggle. He was once teetering on the edge of elite status, and I relish hearing him talk about the game—he’s definitely got that “grab a drink with” appeal. His recent struggles are tough to watch, especially when you know what he’s capable of.

Sure, it’s been just about 15 months of subpar golf for him, so there’s hope for a comeback. Plus, life sometimes gets in the way. Homa recently welcomed his second child into the world, and when family obligations are thrown into the mix, it’s no wonder keeping the golf game tight can become challenging. This little guy cheering him on? That puts things into perspective.

You might’ve noticed that the once-boisterous “Mr. Golf Twitter” hasn’t tweeted since early February. Not only has he taken a step back from social media, but he also called out Twitter as “an awful, awful place.” That’s a bold statement! Homa’s admitted he’s been feeling the heat and even considered skipping events. It’s easy to overlook how exhausting the public eye can be, especially when your game isn’t where you want it to be.

Despite all that, he’s still a pro golfer and has to face the music regarding his performance. He’s been pretty vocal about his struggles too. So, what led to this downward spiral? Is it just the stress of life changes, or is there more at play?

Was the Switch to COBRA Clubs a Factor?

This year, Homa made waves by parting ways with Titleist and signing on with COBRA, which also included a deal with Lululemon for apparel. Yeah, COBRA nabbed themselves a heavy hitter, especially since they’ve been lacking a big-name player since Bryson DeChambeau left a while back. While this was a mega payday for Homa, it seems like his game didn’t sync well with the new gear.

Aside from his Scotty Cameron T5.5 Prototype putter, Homa’s bag is now filled with COBRA gear:

• Driver: Cobra DS-ADAPT LS Driver (9.4°) with a Fujikura Ventus VeloCore+ Blue 7 X shaft
• 3-Wood: Cobra DS-Adapt LS (14.5°) with a Fujikura Ventus Blue VeloCore+ 8 X shaft
• Irons: Various Cobra models including the King MB Irons (6-PW)
• Wedges: Cobra Snakebite Wedges (various lofts)

Now, it’s worth noting that he wasn’t playing well before switching clubs. But after the change, his performance dipped even further. Just look at his strokes gained rankings for 2025 compared to 2024. While his off-the-tee game improved, his tee-to-green play hit the skids.

In 2023, he was solid all around. Fast forward to 2025, and his game looks pretty rough. His putting slipped from one of the best in the game to below average, and the fact that he’s still using the same putter suggests his troubles might not be equipment-related.

Is this just him losing his groove, or is the gear affecting him? The transition often requires some time, but it seems like Homa is grappling with deeper issues.

Changes to His Swing and Caddie

We can’t place all the blame on the new clubs, as there’s also been some significant changes in his swing approach. Since October 2024, he’s been working with a different coach after splitting with Mark Blackburn. Feedback from Homa suggests he hasn’t been able to recapture that once-familiar swing feel.

Earlier this year at the Phoenix Open, he felt great about his swing—only to miss the cut by five shots. It shows that though he’s making technical strides, the confidence just isn’t there yet.

Let’s also acknowledge the impact that changes in his caddie may have had. Homa parted ways with his long-time caddie, Joe Greiner, in April, which is never easy for an athlete. He tried working with a few different caddies, including Bill Harke and later, Lance Bennett, who caddied for Tiger Woods. The turmoil around caddie relationships can affect performance, as you rely heavily on that person for strategic decisions on the course.

In the end, Homa’s struggles have a mix of elements—from equipment changes to personal adjustments in both his swing and caddie situation. The bottom line? It’s tough to pinpoint just one reason he’s been off his game, but nothing would make me happier than seeing him regain his form.

So, what’s your take on Homa’s struggles? Do you think he can bounce back? Is it the clubs, the life changes, or something else entirely? Hit me up in the comments!

Wrapping It Up

Max Homa’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. While he’s faced seemingly insurmountable challenges lately, there’s too much talent in that guy to count him out for good. I’ll be rooting for him all the way; from witnessing his incredible comeback to reading about him swinging at Torrey Pines again—because at the end of the day, watching Homa play golf is a treat we all want to keep enjoying. Here’s to hoping he finds his groove again soon!