[grayesun]

So, we'd been avoiding Amberwood since busy season started here...knowing how slow it often moves through that 5th hole. Usually 2 or 3 groups waiting to tee off on the 5th when you arrive. It's a tough situation, where you have to wait for the green to clear on this par 4. Last week we gave Amberwood a chance with a late afternoon tee time, hoping for a good steady pace...over 2 hours and 15 minutes later, we finished in the dark. In spite of the dreadfully slow play through 5th and 6th, weather was perfect and we all had decent rounds (a good time) after cracking open a couple cans of "patience".
Now the rub - as we waited with another group on the 5th tee, we watched as foursome (beginners?) ahead of us chopped, hacked and duffed all the way down the fairway, hitting multiple balls from each position...turning their rounds of golf into practice sessions. This 4-some were all walkers, so all those extra balls had to be shagged "on foot" as well.
I'm a big fan of the ambassadors (99% exceptional), but they were completely absent from the course during this fiasco. About 30 shots later, the group ahead of us took the tee.
Not sure of the solution to this problem other than:

- Perhaps starters reminding players - no multiple ball play.
- Better way to let new golfers know about the degree of difficulty of courses - have played with many folks that had no clue about difficulty ratings of courses, and watched them struggle, obviously frustrated and not having a good time.
- Player confrontation - enlightenment!
- Use of force/violence! (just kidding)

Meanwhile, Amberwood's off the play list till May!