Best Hurley for Beginners: What to Look For

If you are buying a hurley for a beginner, the most important thing is not simply picking any hurl off a shelf. You want one that feels comfortable, manageable, well balanced and right for the player’s stage.

For beginners, the best hurley is usually one that suits their size, feels easy enough to control, and helps them enjoy learning the game. Too heavy, too long, or too awkward, and the game becomes harder than it needs to be.

At Martin Hurls, we often get asked what hurl a beginner should start with. The honest answer is that there is no one perfect hurl for everyone, but there are a few simple things that make a big difference.

Why the right hurley matters for beginners

A beginner is learning everything at once.

They are learning how to hold the hurley, how to lift, strike, jab lift, block, catch and control the ball. If the hurley is too heavy or the wrong size, it can make those early stages much more difficult.

The right beginner hurley helps with:

• confidence
• comfort
• control
• learning the basics properly
• enjoying the game more

That is important, especially for younger players. If the hurley feels right in the hand, the whole game becomes easier to learn.

The best beginner hurley is not always the biggest one

One of the most common mistakes is choosing a hurley that is too big because the player might “grow into it”.

We would usually say that is the wrong approach.

A beginner needs a hurley they can use properly now, not one that might suit them in a year’s time. If the hurley is too long or too heavy, it can affect confidence, striking and control.

A manageable hurley is nearly always better than an oversized one for a beginner.

Start with the right size

Size is the first thing to get right.

A hurley should feel comfortable and natural in the player’s hand. As a rough guide, many people stand the hurley beside the player and look for it to come up around the hip or wrist area depending on preference.

The key thing is that the player can handle it comfortably.

If you are unsure about size, read our full guide:
How to Choose the Right Hurley Size

You can also browse our Standard Hurls or go straight to the Adult Senior Hurl if you are buying for an older beginner.

Do not go too heavy

For beginners, weight matters just as much as size.

A hurley that is too heavy can make it harder to:

• swing properly
• strike cleanly
• react quickly
• build confidence

In most cases, beginners are better with a hurley that feels light enough and balanced enough to control well.

That does not mean it should feel flimsy. It just means it should not feel like hard work every time they lift it.

Control and confidence matter more than anything

For a beginner, the best hurley is one that helps them build good habits.

That means:

• easier handling
• better first touch
• more confidence lifting and striking
• less frustration

A hurley that feels too awkward can put a player off. A hurley that feels right helps them settle into the game.

That is why we always think beginner hurls should be chosen with comfort and control in mind first.

Should a beginner choose standard or premium?

For most beginners, a standard hurley is usually the right place to start.

A standard hurley gives strong value, dependable performance and everything a new player needs to train and play properly.

A premium hurley is usually more suited to players who are more particular about finish, selected timber and higher-spec detail.

For most beginners, especially younger players or people just starting out, our Standard Hurls make the most sense.

If you want to understand the difference more clearly, read:
Premium vs Standard Hurleys: What’s the Difference?

What parents should look for

If you are buying for a child or young player, the aim should be simple:
get them a hurley that feels comfortable, manageable and enjoyable to use.

Parents should avoid:

• going too big too soon
• choosing a hurley that feels too heavy
• focusing only on price without thinking about fit
• assuming every player of the same age needs the exact same hurl

Children develop at different rates. Strength, size and confidence all vary.

A beginner should have a hurley they can actually enjoy learning with.

What adult beginners should look for

Adult beginners often assume they need something very heavy or very “serious” looking.

In truth, an adult beginner usually benefits from the same things as anyone else:

• the right size
• manageable weight
• good balance
• comfortable grip
• a dependable feel in the hand

If you are starting hurling later, the best hurl is still the one that lets you learn properly and enjoy the game.

Our Adult Senior Hurl is a good place to start for adult players looking for a handmade hurl suited to regular use.

Grip matters too

A lot of people focus only on the hurley itself, but the grip makes a big difference too.

A comfortable grip helps a beginner feel more secure and confident. If the grip feels slippery, worn or uncomfortable, the whole hurley can feel wrong.

That is why a good beginner setup is not just about size and weight. The handle has to feel right as well.

For more on that, link this post to:
Best Hurley Grip for Comfort, Control and Wet Weather

A bit of workshop insight from us

From our own point of view, the best beginner hurleys are usually the ones that feel simple, balanced and easy to trust.

What beginners do not need is a hurley that feels too advanced, too awkward, or too heavy to use naturally.

We would always rather see a beginner with a hurley that suits them properly than one they are struggling to manage.

That is usually what gives them the best chance to enjoy hurling and improve quickly.

Looking after a beginner hurley

Even a beginner hurley should be looked after properly.

A few simple habits make a difference:

• do not leave it in the boot of the car
• do not leave it beside a radiator
• store it somewhere dry and sensible
• replace the grip when worn
• keep the timber looked after

If you want to help protect the wood, take a look at Hurley Essence.

You can read more here:
How to Look After a Hurley and Make It Last Longer