Safari Search Bar Problem, going back to default page

Okay this is really bizarre and it's happened many times since the last year. In fact most times that I use search, this happens.

I just click on the safari URL bar to type in a search for google from my default Safari page (with my favorites etc) and it starts searching google and snaps back instantly to the default page. I actually have to *go* to google.com to do searches from the site instead of the safari address bar.

Now, I know that several months ago there was a theory going around that this might be related to safari groups and iCloud syncing, but it's been a year and absolutely no improvement. I'm wondering what the **** is up with that? I absolutely love Safari, it's my main browser on my MacBook Pro, my iPad Pro, and my iPhone, but this search behavior is very, very, frustrating.

Mostly I'm looking for solutions out there and if anyone else has this gripe.