Cary, IL

Fel-Pro RRR - Old Layout

1.95(based on 10 reviews)
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1 3
joenoel323
Experience: 9.7 years 19 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

New 9 Installed. some tee pads installed. all pads are marked. 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 7, 2019 Played the course:once

Pros:

great course with rolling hills. some tee pads in but all are marked with temp signs.great course with rolling hills. some tee pads in but all are marked with temp signs.great course with rolling hills. some tee pads in but all are marked with temp signs.

Cons:

wooded 9 holes have been established but not in currently.
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2 0
Chuckaneer
Experience: 33.8 years 79 played 3 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Adequate little course. Needs improvement. 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:May 26, 2018 Played the course:once

Pros:

Scenic tiny course with a few elevation changes. Quiet setting.

Cons:

Holes too close together. No real challenges.

Other Thoughts:

Signs say an 18 hole is coming and it looks like the additional 9 may be wooded. Stay tuned.
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1 0
number4
Experience: 21.9 years 102 played 12 reviews
2.50 star(s)

lil better than before 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 4, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

Course maps available at hole 1. Signs at every hole indicating distance, and hole number. Usually not very busy, good elevation changes on most holes, quiet setting in nice park. Now that holes 3 and 4 have been moved slightly, the flow of the course is better.

Cons:

mulch/mud/grass tee offs. mostly wide open with not many obstacles to challenge advanced players. Longish walk to first tee.

Other Thoughts:

Course has potential to be expanded into a really nice 18 hole course, if the MCCD would be willing to do this. The current course is good for beginner/intermediate players, and good to just practice open shots. Other activities at this park include fishing, volleyball, baseball fields, basketball fields, and walking through the nature preserve. If they would expand this course into 18 holes it would be much more popular, hope this happens one day.
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2 0
The Valkyrie Kid
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 45.9 years 1563 played 1507 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Spiffy Chicago 9'er! 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 30, 2016 Played the course:once

Pros:

The Fel-Pro RRR park has BB courts, picnic shelter, horseshoe pits and the nature area which houses the disc golf course. The larger natural area has some rolling hills and scattered trees. The course utilizes both of these features to create some interesting holes. You have to walk the length of the park to get to # 1, then you basically play back to your car.

The tee pads are natural. The tee signs are very simple ones which give the hole #, par and distance. The baskets are cheaper single chain models with a little cone on the top, like a small space ship just landed there.

The holes vary in distance with a couple sub-200' ACE runs, some in the 200' and then two well over 300'. There are some fun little downhill throws here.

Cons:

Long walk back to # 1 tee.
Holes 2 & 3 are set very close to each other.
Natural tee pads.
Recreational length and challenge.

Other Thoughts:

Awesome course for beginners. It's another enjoyable, little stress free 9 here in Chicagoland. Don't come here expecting to be challenged. You needn't bring your "A" game. Won't players won't need their "B" game. Bring you C game and you'll have yourself a great time.
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6 0
Three Putt
Staff member
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 29.3 years 152 played 127 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Nothing much could happen, nothing we can't shake. Oh, we're absolute beginners, with nothing much at stake 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 9, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

Fel-Pro RRR is an interesting layout. It certainly is not designed with serious/competitive disc golf in mind; it is very much a beginner-friendly recreational course. The holes are mostly short and run back and forth across a mostly open area; there are a few trees but nothing that difficult to avoid. Holes #5 and #8 had some distance to them, but the rest of the shots were in the 200'ish to 250'ish range. The lightly wooded landscape really didn't force you into any shots; you can show up with one shot and throw it all day. The area that the course is in has a pitch to it, so you get a variety of uphill/downhill/flat elevation on the shots.

The area of the park that the course is in is very well maintained. The tee signs are basic and the tees are dirt. Once you get to hole one, the flow is very logical.

I've taught a kids disc golf program for years. When I finished playing Fel-Pro RRR, it really hit me that of all the courses I've played that this is the one I'd pick if I could magically teleport my kids program to any course I chose. It's a fantastic learning layout. It's got a little challenge, it's fun to play and the park is beautiful.

Cons:

If you are not a kid or a beginner, the layout will be lost on you.

You have to walk the entire length of the course to get to hole #1. I was with my young daughter when I played the course, and she thought the little walk was nice to stretch your legs and get warmed up after riding in the car. Maybe she is right; it really wasn't that far of a walk. On a nice day it's just some extra fresh air and exercise.

Hole #3 shoots right at the pin hole #2. The two baskets are too close together; it's not all that safe and it's confusing.

Holes #4/#5/#6/#7/#8/#9 shoot back and forth; they all sort of overlap a bit with the hole on either side as they are all sort of crammed into a small space. If the course ever got busy, the holes are too close together for the deign to be considered safe.

The baskets are Innova DisCatcher Sports; they are not intended to be left outside and will start to rust and break down after a short time. The small center tube on hole #9 had already been buckled and the basket was leaning a bit. The baskets will need to be upgraded for this course to have a long life.

Looking at the overall site, I found myself thinking it was a shame that they didn't want an actual Champ-type layout because they certainly have the land for one. It's a really, really nice piece of property.

Other Thoughts:

Fel-Pro was an auto parts company in McHenry; they owned a private park for their workers for "Rest, Relaxation, and Recreation." It was the ultimate company picnic site. When the company was sold to Federal-Mogul Corporation around 2000, the 220 acres of Fel-Pro RRR was deeded to a collaboration of The Nature Conservatory, McHenry County Conservation District, and Metropolitan Family Services. The now 277 acre site is largely undeveloped; it is more a home to nature trails and natural habitat than it is for active use developments like disc golf courses.

I can't rate Fel-Pro RRR very highly because in the end it's not designed to be a great disc golf course. What it is designed to be is a fun recreational/beginners course, and that it does very well. It would be a great place to take kids or introduce a friend to disc golf. If you are a recreational player who likes a fun, quick 9 hole round this course is a great choice. For that I'm going to give it the benefit of the doubt and rate it higher than most.
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6 0
mashnut
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.1 years 831 played 767 reviews
1.00 star(s)

A little odd 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 4, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course plays in a small grassy area surrounded by woods. A couple pins are placed near rough that will punish shots that go too long. The course plays on a hill side so there are small to moderate elevation changes on several of the holes, including a couple that play enough down or up hill to add some real challenge. There is a decent mix of hole lengths from ace run shorties to a couple longer ones offering a chance to pull out a driver. The course is nicely maintained, with numbered signs and baskets, and recently mowed grass when I played.

Cons:

The course is crammed in to a pretty small area, errant shots can easily end up on other holes especially with how open it is. Baskets 2 and 3 are within 20' of one another, making for an awkward transition and some potential for conflict. The path is also in play on a couple shots, a potential safety issue if there are many pedestrians. The holes play very open, so they don't push players to use many different shots. A simple hyzer suffices on the majority of holes here. The long unmarked walk to the first tee is very odd, you basically walk the length of the course then play your way back. The distances marked on the signs are pretty far off in a few cases.

Other Thoughts:

Beginners will enjoy the lack of punishment and the elevation changes, but more experienced players won't find much challenge and variety here. It seemed like a nice place for a family picnic, hopefully it's getting some exposure for disc golf as the course is on the main path that goes to the picnic areas.
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5 0
notapro
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.7 years 568 played 281 reviews
1.50 star(s)

Beginner 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 28, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

- Course is set in a small portion of a large conservation center, but is well separated from most other activities. There are some horseshoe pits close by, and a walking path borders two sides, so there might be some waiting involved.
- Trees are in play on a few holes; #2 has trees by the basket, which are are also by #3's basket, #5, #6, and #8 have a few tree gaps to make off the tee, and #9's basket is right in between two larger trees. Rough is also present by some baskets, like behind #1, #4, and #8. Mostly an issue if you overshoot the hole.
- Layout goes up and down the hillside, so there are some decent elevation changes. #1, #3, and #7 are slightly uphill, #4 is pretty steep uphill, #5 is slightly downhill with a blind pin position, and #7 is a fun downhill run with a low ceiling. Definitely goes a long way to keep things interesting.
- A decent mix of hole lengths; there are many shorties, and a couple longer ones. #5 plays a little shorter than 345', but #8 plays at 386'.
- Good signs and baskets, tees are starting to bald, but are ok. Navigation is easy.

Cons:

- Small area for the course, so many holes are very close to each other. #2 and #3's baskets are very, very close; you have to avoid #2's basket shooting on #3. I would keep an eye out at all times, especially for shots coming from the top of the hillside.
- Most holes offer many paths to the basket, trees by the tee or basket are the only real obstacles.

Other Thoughts:

- For a small course, it packs a good punch. Elevation changes are definitely a big factor, adding both challenge and fun. #5, #7, and #8 are good holes at the very least. Great course for beginners, ok to decent for more experienced players.
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5 0
harr0140
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 15.2 years 1508 played 475 reviews
2.00 star(s)

Feel like a Pro @ FEL PRO 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Dec 29, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

1) Beginner friendly course because it is mostly open and the hole distances are within the tolerable range for beginner golfers. Sure, they might not birdie many holes, but pars should be more regular than bogeys.

2) Signs have the necessary information . . . Par, Hole #, an distance . . . including a simple vinyl # on the backside of the tee to assist in navigation of this course. While there is no hole diagram or map . . . it is hardly needed on this course because the baskets are in plain view (except #5) from the tee.

3) Yellow ring is also numbered so you know you are throwing at the correct basket. I also can appreciate the yellow rim for visibility.

4) Decent elevation change on this course. There are some uphills, some downhills, and quite a few across the slope . . . where the slope definitely affects how you throw an approach shot to any of these baskets. if you do not park the hole, you better plan your upshot well!

5) There are a decent amount of trees in play on this course . . .suprisingly. For being in a mostly open field the designers incorporate quite a few trees into the design. #2 has trees protecting a high hyzer into the basket. #3 is protected from the same. #4 has a tree on each side of the fairway which frames your shot. #5 you can pick any of three gaps in the trees to try and get near the basket but there is a tree about 40-50' short and to the right of the basket. #7 has a couple more options for gaps. #8 is protected short and right of the basket, but stray too far left and you will have another tree in your way. #9 also has a couple of trees surrounding the basket which will affect your potential lines. SO for being in a mostly open field . . . you do have obstacles other than elevation to worry about.

6) Hole distances range from 182' up o 386' with everything in between. This is atypical of shorter courses, normally holes stay within a smaller range with just a couple outliers to increase the diversity. Here a broader range is used with 2 holes that fall outside the normal range.

7) This course does not see any other park users that get in the way unless someone has no idea they are walking though a disc golf course. The only spot that might not be completely safe would be #9 to the right of the fairway, but it is totaly visible from the tee so I am not as concerned with this issue.

8) Portopotty was a welcome site at 6:30 AM after a 90 minute drive on icy roads . . .and again after the round! I KNOW TMI, but deal with it!

Cons:

1) Walk to #1 is something I have not seen before . . .a 300 yard walk just to get to the fist tee. I guess because of the land they used there was no way to run a long hole from near #8 tee down to #1 tee because it would have shortened half of the holes by 50-75' width would be fairly unacceptable on this already shorter course.

2) Grass tees always leave something to be desired in my opinion. I would prefer a consistent tee like concrete anyday to grass tees. Half of the tees were frozen when I played so they were really uneven and dangerous to the knees and ankles, the other half were either thawed do to sun exposure and slick (I know it is a seasonal concern only, in season these would probably do just fine (except the ones that aren't level)). There also was quite a bit 0of unevenness on these tees in general.

3) This course is a little bit repetative in that you just throw back and forth across this same portion of the park . .. you can see 3 or 4 other holes from any hole on the course and from Holes #4 and 5 you can see every hole. It doesn't use enough variety of the land available.

4) Discatcher Sport baskets are not intended to be installed outside and will most definitely see rust and wear due to weather over a much shorter period of time. They are also a single chain basket which I do not recommend for outdoor use (good enough for practice, but not for a course in my opinion).

5) There are two areas where fairways or baskets are too close to another hole. The two baskets in #2 and #3 are way to close . . . maybe 35-45' in between them and completely in play from the other tee areas. #7 fairway also crosses a little to close to #8 fairway in my opinion. #5

Other Thoughts:

All in all this course is decent . . . there are enough design elements to make this course fun, but there are enough issues that it isn't a course I would return to over and over. Perhaps is some more of the prairie was included and holes were extended i would feel differently. I had fun including an ace run on #2 that hit off the top yellow ring. It seemed to be more solid than the outer band on the regular Discatchers as I ended up bouncing a good 15' straight back.
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6 0
beamrider
Experience: 16.8 years 143 played 6 reviews
2.00 star(s)

A Beautiful Conservation Area 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 25, 2011 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

.Located in a picturesque McHenry County conservation area.

.The course area is dedicated to disc golf. Except for a walking path on the eastern perimeter and a horseshoe pit adjacent to the third tee, there shouldn't be any distractions from other park activities.

.Tranquil. Very little road (traffic) noise.

.Tee signs provide hole number, distance and square you up to each basket. Otherwise you wouldn't know where to stand (see con below)

Cons:

.No tee pads. No markers. Just a tee sign on a pole stuck in the grass. However, being a new course this may be a work in progress.

.The baskets for holes 2 and 3 are way too close to each other. You basically can't shoot at either basket if players are at the "other" basket.

.The first tee is at the far end of the course. This means you walk to the far end and play back to the parking lot. To my knowledge this concept is unprecedented.

.The entire nine holes play primarily in a big rolling field. The fairways are moderately spaced but are nonetheless adjacent to each other. This could get uncomfortable, or even dangerous in some blind areas, if the course is crowded.

.The baskets appear to be the less expensive Innova Sport baskets marketed as portables. While not really a con, as they work just fine, it remains to be seen how they'll hold up on a permanent basis.

Other Thoughts:

This is such a beautiful park that it's too bad disc golf is confined to one open field. Ideally, at some point the course can be redesigned and expanded to include some of the wooded areas and perhaps make this a top quality 18 hole course. Having said that and despite the negatives, I've played three rounds here and had a pleasant experience. Other than holes 2, 3, and 9, the remaining holes have a degree of difficulty that, for me, made it fun and challenging.
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11 0
#19325
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 22.8 years 351 played 175 reviews
1.00 star(s)

FEL-Beginner 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Oct 21, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Located in a beautiful 277 acre McHenry County Conservation Area. The course plays in a small open area with some minor hills. There are a couple of trees to navigate and some rough near a couple of baskets.

There are 9 baskets in the ground.

Basic tee signs with hole # and distance.

Very beginner friendly.

Well kept and clean porto potty by hole #9 and restroom facilities near the pavillion by hole #1.

Cons:

This land is such a tease. It could be by far the best course in the area if not the state.

The course design is not good. To get to hole #1 you walk down the path the entire length of the course. Every hole plays east and west back towards the parking lot. Hole #2 & 3's basket are 30 feet from each other. I had to wait for the other group to play out so I did not get hit.

There are many dangerous areas on this course. Each hole has conflicts if there are groups on the hole ahead or behind.

The tees are grass tee pads and many are not even.

The tee signs have no hole descriptions.

The baskets are Innova Discatcher Portables that have been cemented and locked in the ground. I'm interested in seeing how they stand up over time.

Intermediate level and above will find this course very basic and boring.

Other Thoughts:

The conservation area itself is absolutely awesome. There is hiking, biking, fishing, basketball, baseball, & volleyball. What an awesome piece of property.
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