Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Sand Save is a conventional golf statistic or achievement: completing a hole from a greenside bunker and getting the ball up and down, usually in two strokes or fewer. It is commonly recorded as a successful recovery, not a Rules-defined score.
How it matters in match play
In match play, a Sand Save is not a separate scoring unit or automatic bonus. Alex’s bunker recovery simply produces his Hole Score; compare that score with Ben’s to decide the hole. A club side game may award a Sandie or other prize, but that is a house rule, not part of the Rules of Golf. Statistical definitions can vary, so agree the method first.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Sand Save |
| Category | scoring |
| Applicable rule | No dedicated official rule established |
| Related concepts | Bunker, Scrambling, Hole Score, Match Play, Putts per Round |
Worked example
On a par-4, Alex reaches a greenside bunker in 2, blasts out in 1 and holes the next putt for 4: that is a Sand Save under the common par-saving convention; if Ben makes 5, Alex wins the hole. This is an illustrative example, not historical player data.
Sources: www.pgatour.com , www.randa.org , www.usga.org , www.nationalclubgolfer.com , golf.com.au
Common questions
What counts as a Sand Save?
Conventionally, the ball starts in a greenside bunker and the player gets it up and down, usually with one bunker shot and one holed putt. The exact recording convention should be agreed before a casual competition.
Does a Sand Save have to be par?
Not under every definition. Everyday golf usage often means making par or better after a bunker visit, while the PGA Tour’s Sand Save Percentage counts getting up and down from a greenside bunker regardless of the player’s score. Do not mix the two methods in one result.
Is Sand Save an official Rules of Golf term?
No. The Rules of Golf govern the bunker and how the ball is played, especially under Rule 12, but they do not award a Sand Save. It is a conventional statistic or achievement, and any prize attached to it is a house rule.
Can a Sand Save matter in match play?
Yes, as part of the hole score. If Alex saves par from a bunker and Ben scores bogey, Alex wins that hole, but the Sand Save itself does not create a separate match-play point or stroke.
Does holing the bunker shot count as a Sand Save?
Under the usual up-and-down idea, holing directly from the greenside bunker is a successful recovery in fewer than two strokes. Whether a particular stat includes that outcome should follow the competition or statistical definition being used.
Are fairway bunkers included?
Most Sand Save definitions refer specifically to greenside bunkers, so a recovery from a fairway bunker is normally recorded separately. A club or event may choose a wider house definition, but it should state that variation clearly.