What Is a Sand Save in Golf?

Landing your ball in a greenside bunker can feel like a game-ender, but the truth is, it doesn't have to be. A sand save, which is getting your ball out of the bunker and into the hole in two shots, is one of the most satisfying feats in golf. This article will break down exactly what a sand save is and provide a clear, step-by-step guide to help you turn bunker shots from a source of dread into a real opportunity to save par.

What Exactly Is a Sand Save?

In simple golf terms, a "sand save" is a specific way of getting "up and down." When your ball is in a greenside bunker, and you manage to hit your shot onto the green (that's shot #1) and then make the putt (shot #2), you have successfully made a sand save. It's a key statistic that pro golfers track because it's a direct measure of their ability to recover from a slightly off-target approach shot and avoid making a bogey or worse.

For amateurs, improving your sand save percentage is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores. It stops one mistake (hitting into the bunker) from turning into a disaster (leaving it in the sand, then three-putting). The goal isn't to hole-out every bunker shot, but to consistently give yourself a manageable putt for par or bogey. Success here is all about managing expectations and executing a solid plan.

The Mindset and The Tool for the Job

Before we even talk about technique, two things need to be in place: the right attitude and the right club. A lot of golfers step into a bunker already defeated, which leads to tense, jerky swings. Let’s change that.

It's a Splash, Not a Strike

This is the most important concept in bunker play. Repeat it until it's ingrained in your golf DNA: you do not hit the golf ball. Instead, you are going to hit the sand behind the ball. Your club will scoop out a shallow slice of sand, and that cushion of sand is what gently lifts the ball out and onto the green. When you understand this, the fear of blading the ball over the green starts to melt away. You're not hitting a tiny ball, you're hitting a big, stationary target two inches behind it.

Choosing Your Weapon: Understanding the Sand Wedge

There's a reason it’s called a Sand Wedge (typically 54-56 degrees of loft). This club is specifically designed for this shot, thanks to something called "bounce."

• What is Bounce? Look at the bottom of your sand wedge. You’ll see that the trailing edge of the club's sole hangs lower than the leading edge. This angle is the bounce.
• What does it do? Bounce helps the club glide or "bounce" through the sand instead of digging in like a shovel. A higher bounce angle is better for soft, fluffy sand, while a lower bounce is better for firm, compact sand.

For most standard bunker shots, your trusty Sand Wedge is the perfect tool. You can open its face to add even more effective bounce, making it your best friend for splashing the ball out.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Greenside Bunker Shot

Alright, let’s get our feet sandy. Follow these steps methodically, and you’ll build a reliable bunker technique that you can trust under pressure. This is a formula, and following a formula takes the guesswork out of it.

Step 1: The Setup - Where 80% of the Work is Done

A great bunker shot is almost entirely set up J-Beforeswing started. If you get this part right, the swing itself becomes surprisingly simple.

Get Your Footing

Walk into the bunker and dig your feet into the sand a couple of inches. This accomplishes two things: it gives you a super stable base from which to swing, and it effectively lowers your body closer to the level of the ball, which helps you hit the sand properly.

Aim Open

Here’s where it gets a little different. For a right-handed golfer, aim your feet, hips, and shoulders noticeably to the *left* of your target. How far left? A good starting point is to aim about 15-20 feet left of the hole for a 15-yard shot. This is called an "open" stance and it promotes the correct out-to-in swing path.

Ball Position

Place the ball forward in your stance. Your goal is for the ball to be in line with the heel or even the instep of your lead foot (your left foot for a righty). This forward position makes it much easier to hit the sand behind the ball as your club reaches the lowest point of its arc.

Open the Clubface

Now for the real secret sauce. Before you even take your grip, rotate the clubhead so the face is pointing wide open - almost flat and pointed to the sky. This fully engages the bounce we talked about. After you've opened the face to the desired degree, then take your normal grip. If you grip first and then try to twist your hands, you’ll naturally close the face at impact.

Weight Distribution

Lean slightly onto your front foot, so you feel about 60% of your weight on that side. Keep it there throughout the swing. This prevents you from falling backward, which is a a popular reason for thinning the shot over the green.

When you look down, you should be completely set: feet dug in, body aimed left, ball forward, face open, and weight leaning just a touch on your front side.

Step 2: The Takeaway - Hinge and Rotate

With your setup locked in, the backswing is simple. It's guided more by the rotation of your body and less by your hands. As you start the swing, feel like you immediately hinge your wrists, cocking the club up rather than dragging it back low and slow. Rotate your body with the club. It should feel like a more upright, V-shaped swing than a rounded, U-shaped one. The only thought is, "Hinge the wrists and turn the shoulders."

Step 3: The Downswing - Hit Your Spot and Accelerate!

This is where courage comes in. Deceleration is the #1 killer of good bunker shots.

• Pick Your Target (and it’s not the ball): Draw an imaginary line in the sand about two inches behind your golf ball. Stare at that line. Burn it into your brain. That line is now your target. During the swing, your eyes stay glued to that spot.
• Commit and Fire: Swing down with good speed, intending to splash into the sand right on that imaginary line. The most common amateur fault is to quit on the shot, getting timid at the last second. You need to apply more speed than you think because the sand creates a tremendous amount of friction that will slow the clubhead down. Commit to a full swing and accelerate through the sand.
• Imagine the Outcome: A great mental image is to feel like you are splashing all the sand in a 6-inch circle around your ball directly onto the green. The ball just goes along for the ride.

Step 4: The Follow-Through - Proof of Commitment

A full, high follow-through is physical proof that you accelerated through the shot. Don't stop your swing after you make contact with the sand. Let the clubhead exit the sand, and keep your body rotating towards the target, finishing in a balanced position with your belt buckle pointing at the hole - just like a full iron shot. If you find yourself off-balance or with a short, stubby finish, it’s a good sign you’re decelerating.

Troubleshooting Common Bunker Blunders

Even with great technique, things can go awry. Here’s how to diagnose and fix the most common issues.

1. The Problem: Ball stays in the bunker.
   The Probable Cause: Deceleration or hitting too far behind the ball (taking a mountain of sand).
   The Fix: You need more speed. In practice, take a few swings feeling like you’re hitting a 50-yard shot. It will feel like overkill, but you'll see how forcefully you can swing without the ball going too far. Also, check your focus point - be sure you are aiming just two inches behind the ball, not four or five.
2. The Problem: Ball is bladed over the green.
   The Probable Cause: You hit the ball first instead of the sand. This is often caused by falling back onto your trail foot or standing up out of your posture during the swing.
   The Fix: Really focus on keeping your weight on your front foot during the entire swing. Dig your back foot in at a slight angle to prevent yourself from swaying. Then recommit to keeping your eyes pinned on that spot behind the ball. Don't peek!
3. The Problem: Firm or wet sand.
   The Probable Cause: This sand is less forgiving, and a club with high bounce will bounce *off* the sand and into the equator of the ball.
   The Fix: Use less bounce. Don’t open the clubface as much (or at all). Play the ball slightly further back in your stance (middle instead of forward). You need to dig more, so feel like you are hitting the sand about one inch behind the ball with a squarer clubface. It feels more like a heavy chip shot than a splash shot.

Final Thoughts

A sand save is more about solid technique and commitment than it is about some kind of golfing magic. By building a reliable setup routine, focusing on hitting the sand instead of the ball, and remembering to accelerate through impact, you can transform your greenside bunker game from a weakness into a strength.

When you're actually out on the course, staring at a tough lie in the bunker with a high lip or weird sand, it can be hard to remember all these details. It’s in those moments that an on-demand golf expert proves invaluable. With an app like Caddie AI, you can grab your phone, snap a photo of your lie, and get an instant, clear recommendation on how to play the shot. Our AI can analyze the situation and give you practical advice on club selection and technique, removing the guesswork so you can swing with confidence.