Random Thought - Sand Save Without Putting

[bkuehn1952]

I was in a greenside bunker on a par 5 in three strokes.  Blasted out but got hung up in long rough.  Chipped in for par.  I typically would not have considered that a "sand save". After reviewing the PGA Tour definition [greenside bunker, holed out in 2 or less from the bunker, regardless of score in relation to par] I apparently was wrong.  

Yes, ultimately the thing that really matters is the score and not how we label the process of getting the ball in the hole.  It just seems a bit "off" to consider an effort that doesn't even make the green as a success.  On the other hand, blasting a shot out of the bunker to a spot on the green but 70 feet away, then holing the putt, is also a "save" despite a less than stellar sand shot.  I guess my "save" percentage just surged upward a few percentage points.  

[Golfingdad]

3 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

I was in a greenside bunker on a par 5 in three strokes.  Blasted out but got hung up in long rough.  Chipped in for par.  I typically would not have considered that a "sand save". After reviewing the PGA Tour definition [greenside bunker, holed out in 2 or less from the bunker, regardless of score in relation to par] I apparently was wrong.  

Yes, ultimately the thing that really matters is the score and not how we label the process of getting the ball in the hole.  It just seems a bit "off" to consider an effort that doesn't even make the green as a success.  On the other hand, blasting a shot out of the bunker to a spot on the green but 70 feet away, then holing the putt, is also a "save" despite a less than stellar sand shot.  I guess my "save" percentage just surged upward a few percentage points.  

And on the other other hand, hitting a beautiful blast to 3 feet and choking the putt is also not indicative of your wedge game. ;)  Stats do the best they can but they are imperfect.

[bones75]

12 minutes ago, Golfingdad said:

And on the other other hand, hitting a beautiful blast to 3 feet and choking the putt is also not indicative of your wedge game. ;)  Stats do the best they can but they are imperfect.

Well spoken @Golfing Dad. 

[bkuehn1952]

10 minutes ago, Golfingdad said:

And on the other other hand, hitting a beautiful blast to 3 feet and choking the putt is also not indicative of your wedge game. ;)  Stats do the best they can but they are imperfect.

Yes.  In fact, I think I have seen some discussions about whether "sand saves" was more a reflection of putting ability than hitting from the sand.  Oh well, as you say, stats are rarely perfect.

[Golfingdad]

12 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

Yes.  In fact, I think I have seen some discussions about whether "sand saves" was more a reflection of putting ability than hitting from the sand.  Oh well, as you say, stats are rarely perfect.

Yeah, it probably kinda has to be taken as a whole.  And, at least personally, I'd lean slightly towards it being more indicative of solid putting as well, simply because it's really rare for me to have an up and down from the sand end with a tap-in.  My best sand shots usually leave me 5-10 feet away.  Some I make, more I miss, and occasionally I'll make a longer one after a poor bunker shot.

[Missouri Swede]

23 minutes ago, bkuehn1952 said:

It just seems a bit "off" to consider an effort that doesn't even make the green as a success.

Nah. Look at it the other way--the green is the last resort for wimping out and needing a pristine surface. You did it the manly way. "Chipped in? Of course. Didn't you?" 

Nice save.

[Club Rat]

Just out of curiosity, is it considered a "sand save" if you hole out the bunker shot?

[RandallT]

3 hours ago, bkuehn1952 said:

I was in a greenside bunker on a par 5 in three strokes.  Blasted out but got hung up in long rough.  Chipped in for par.

I was also in a greenside bunker today on a par 5 in three strokes. I blasted out to the fringe (it wasn't a terrible out either in the thick mud), but three putted from there! So you are the one I will blame for the golf gods equalling things out to keep their sand averages about the same for the season. 

I vote for sand save, yes. And for your scenario too, @Club Rat.

[Club Rat]

4 minutes ago, RandallT said:

I vote for sand save, yes. And for your scenario too, @Club Rat.

Thanks Randall, also @saevel25 "would that be a stroke gained".   

[bkuehn1952]

Just make sure we keep the flag in!

[saevel25]

So I guess my up and down for a birdie from the bunker on this par five last week is considered a sand save 

27 minutes ago, Club Rat said:

Just out of curiosity, is it considered a "sand save" if you hole out the bunker shot?

Yes, 2 shots or less. One shot out of the bunker is less than 2 

13 minutes ago, Club Rat said:

Thanks Randall, also @saevel25 "would that be a stroke gained".   

Holing out from the bunker, you just saved 1.50 to 1.70 strokes depending on the length of the bunker shot 

 

[Lihu]

10 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

So I guess my up and down for a birdie from the bunker on this par five last week is considered a sand save 

Yes, 2 shots or less. One shot out of the bunker is less than 2 

Holing out from the bunker, you just saved 1.50 to 1.70 strokes depending on the length of the bunker shot 

 

Guessing you meant from a fairway bunker? That would certainly be an impressive sand save!

[saevel25]

10 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Guessing you meant from a fairway bunker? That would certainly be an impressive sand save!

Drive
6 iron into greenside bunker
Bunker shot
Made Putt

Sand Save -  Greenside bunker (check), holed out in 2 or less from the bunker (check), regardless of score in relation to par (check)

#SandSaveForBirdie 

[Club Rat]

25 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

you just saved 1.50 to 1.70 strokes depending on the length of the bunker shot

Sweet......

[Club Rat]

Another scenario, "fairway bunker, greenside bunker, hole out"

Only once in my life have I gone "fairway bunker, fairway bunker, greenside bunker, tap-in" for birdie.

Harbor Side, 9th hole, Par 5. And I was really hacked because the greenside shot lipped out for an almost incredible Eagle.....

[Lihu]

38 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

So I guess my up and down for a birdie from the bunker on this par five last week is considered a sand save 

Yes, 2 shots or less. One shot out of the bunker is less than 2 

Holing out from the bunker, you just saved 1.50 to 1.70 strokes depending on the length of the bunker shot 

 

The word "considered" threw me off. It was a sand save with nothing to really "consider".

 

15 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

Drive
6 iron into greenside bunker
Bunker shot
Made Putt

Sand Save -  Greenside bunker (check), holed out in 2 or less from the bunker (check), regardless of score in relation to par (check)

#SandSaveForBirdie 

 

[iacas]

3 hours ago, Club Rat said:

Another scenario, "fairway bunker, greenside bunker, hole out"

Only once in my life have I gone "fairway bunker, fairway bunker, greenside bunker, tap-in" for birdie.

Harbor Side, 9th hole, Par 5. And I was really hacked because the greenside shot lipped out for an almost incredible Eagle.....

??

Two fairway bunkers and a greenside bunker, plus a tap-in putt? Feels like a par. No?

[MacDutch]

So I played right greenside bunker to left greenside bunker and from there in the hole, to make par on a par three. This is two sand saves? Not making this up, it was during an official matchplay two weeks ago.