There are other drainage systems. There are other sand washing methods. Here's why superintendents choose this one.
The Honest Comparison
If you are evaluating SandSave, you have probably already looked at the alternatives. Traditional trench drains. Liner-based systems. Off-site sand washing machines. Maybe you have considered just budgeting for more frequent sand replacement and accepting it as a cost of business.
Each of those approaches works to some degree. Here is an honest look at how they compare — and why SandSave solves things the others cannot.
vs. Traditional Trench Drains
Traditional drainage systems — perforated pipe, gravel backfill, filter fabric — are the industry standard. They are also the reason you are reading this page.
Passive drainage systems rely on filter media to separate clean water from contaminants and allow it to percolate to the drain pipe. The USGA documents that infiltration rates drop from 22+ inches per hour to as low as 7.5 inches per hour within two to three years as fines and organic matter clog the filter layer. Once clogged, the system cannot be cleaned — it must be partially or fully rebuilt at $12,500 to $15,000 per bunker.
SandSave does not use filter media and cannot clog. It raises a drain cover above the sand when activated, bypassing the filter layer entirely and routing water directly to the existing drain pipe. The passive drain below continues to function for normal infiltration — SandSave handles the overflow that the passive system cannot manage.
vs. In-place Wash Systems and Liner Systems
Liner-based systems and capillary concrete systems offer improved drainage performance and extended sand life compared to traditional fabric liners. Some systems also offer in-place washing capabilities. These are serious, well-engineered systems.
The limitation is installation. To install any of these systems in an existing bunker, the bunker must be completely emptied, the existing liner excavated, the drainage layer rebuilt, and the new system installed before a single drop of water is drained or a single wash cycle happens. That is a full renovation project — typically $15,000 to $25,000 per bunker, 8 to 10 weeks, and an outside certified contractor.
Some competing in-place wash systems require completely emptying the bunker, excavating a vault, installing a liner system, and hiring a certified contractor before a single wash cycle can happen.
SandSave installs in existing bunkers without excavation, without liner replacement, and without a contractor. Your crew does it in approximately 4 man-hours per bunker. The bunker does not close. There is no renovation. And it begins working immediately.
SandSave is already washing before that project even begins.
vs. Off-Site Sand Washing Machines
Off-site mobile sand washing services physically remove sand from the bunker, run it through an external wash system to separate fines, and reinstall clean sand. The process typically handles several cubic yards per hour, requires a staging area, outside equipment, and a technician, and the bunker is out of play while sand is removed, washed, and reinstalled.
SandSave washes sand completely in place. No sand is removed. No equipment is hauled in. No staging area is needed. Your own maintenance crew handles the entire process — flood, rake, drain — using the course's existing irrigation system. The bunker is back in play the same day.
vs. Doing Nothing (or Just Replacing Sand on Schedule)
For many courses, the current approach is to accept sand replacement as a recurring capital cost and budget for it every three to five years. That is a rational response to a problem with no previously good solution.
The math has changed. At $1,177 per bunker per year in annualized replacement costs versus $46 to $92 per year to wash with SandSave, the annual saving per bunker is approximately $1,780. The unit pays for itself in under two seasons from sand replacement savings alone — before drainage labor savings are counted.
At a 40-bunker course: $71,000+ per year in estimated savings vs. mid-grade sand replacement on a 4-year contractor cycle.
What SandSave Cannot Do
SandSave does not replace sand that is already at the end of its life. If your bunker sand is severely contaminated and beyond washing, a one-time replacement is still the right call. SandSave is installed after that replacement to prevent the same thing from happening again.
SandSave also does not eliminate the need to rake bunkers. Raking frequency, sand depth management, and edge maintenance are still the superintendent's responsibility. SandSave handles the two things that raking cannot — drainage and deep contamination.
What it does do is give every superintendent — regardless of budget, crew size, or course type — a practical, affordable tool to stay ahead of the problem instead of reacting to it.
The Benefits of SandSave
- Reliable Drainage – SandSave is an active drain system that provides a direct route to current or newly installed drain lines. SandSave does not rely on any type of filter media to allow water to slowly drain a flooded sand trap.
- Cost-Effective – SandSave is the only reliable, lowest-cost solution to flooded sand traps. A complete SandSave system can be purchased for less than $2,500, a small investment that will save you from the endless cycle of trap reconstruction and repairs.
- Easy Installation – SandSave can be installed with your own crew in less than a day. No need to hire outside contractors.
- Patented Technology – Awarded a patent in 2024, SandSave is the proven, high-performance solution for sand trap drainage.
- Satisfied Customers – SandSave systems are already in several courses, working flawlessly to keep traps dry and playable.
Golfers Expect Perfection
Golf is not just a game; it’s an experience. When golfers hit a great shot, only to have it land in a flooded bunker, it can ruin their round and their perception of your course. With SandSave, you can offer them pristine conditions, making your course the talk of the town for all the right reasons. Let your golfers focus on their swing – not on your sand traps.
Transform Your Course with SandSave
No matter your club’s budget, SandSave offers a simple, effective solution to one of golf’s most persistent problems. We believe that by improving sand trap drainage, you’ll enhance the playability and reputation of your course, while significantly reducing maintenance costs.
Ready to Learn More?
Call us at 888-SANDSVE (888-726-3783). Our team is ready to help you spec out a system and provide expert advice on installation.