The times I have used a PullPal in the sand, I have dug a starter hole with a shovel to get it to anchor itself in a shorter distance. I like the tool and it is now a part of my regular kit as I travel solo most of the time. Just like my winch, it doesn't get used often but when I need it, I am very glad to have it.
I have noticed in soft sand that the yoke of the Pullpal buries itself as well. Given that it takes the winch line with it when it "submerges", when possible I use my static webbing tree strap as a lanyard to keep the synthetic winch line from abrading itself in the dirt.
Before I was aware of the PullPal and was wheeling in the swamps of Ocala 20 years ago, I carried a Danforth anchor. It did the job but was very cumbersome to carry and difficult to remove. The Pullpal is a nice and relatively compact improvement. A HiLift and shovel and no winch in hip deep water and gelatinous mud makes for a heck of a lot of work in my experience.