Premium vs Standard Hurleys: What’s the Difference?
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If you are buying a new hurley and wondering whether to go for a premium or standard option, the short answer is this: both can be excellent choices, but they suit different players, budgets and preferences.
A standard hurley is ideal for many players and gives strong value and performance. A premium hurley is for players who want a more refined finish, selected timber and a higher-spec overall feel.
At Martin Hurls, we get asked this question all the time, and it is an important one. The goal is not to push everybody into the dearer option. The goal is to help each player choose the hurley that suits their game best.
Quick comparison at a glance
A standard hurley is usually best for:
- excellent value
- everyday training and match use
- club players, schools and developing hurlers
- players who want a dependable hurley at a strong price
A premium hurley is usually best for:
- players who are very particular about feel
- those wanting hand-selected ash and a more refined finish
- players who value detail, presentation and a higher-end stick
- those who want a more bespoke overall package
Our FAQ page currently describes standard hurls as strong quality training and match hurls for all levels, while the premium range uses hand-selected ash, better grain quality and custom finishing options.
What a standard hurley offers
A standard hurley is the right choice for a lot of players.
It should still feel balanced, solid and reliable in the hand. It should still be ready for training and match use. It should still be something you trust when the game gets lively.
At Martin Hurls, our Standard Hurls collection includes juvenile, adult and goalkeeper options. The live collection currently shows standard adult and goalkeeper hurls alongside juvenile sizes and packs, with adult senior hurls available from the standard hurls section.
Standard does not mean poor quality. It means practical, trusted and good value.
What a premium hurley offers
A premium hurley is usually about feel, finish and detail.
Players who go premium are often looking for:
- selected ash
- a more refined finish
- a more polished look and feel
- a higher-spec overall stick
- something that feels that bit more special when lifted in the hand
Our Premium Hurleys collection currently lists the Bespoke Premium Hurley, Bespoke Premium Hurley Goalkeeper and Hurley Essence Oil. The collection page currently shows premium hurleys at £60 and premium goalkeeper hurleys at £70.
The timber selection matters
One of the biggest differences between premium and standard is often in the ash selection.
That does not mean a standard hurley is poor. It simply means premium players are often looking for that extra level of grain selection, presentation and overall finish.
If you are the sort of player who notices every detail, that can matter a lot.
Finish matters too
Premium is not just about appearance. It is also about the finish and how the hurley feels in the hand.
That smoother, more refined feel can make a real difference to how happy a player is with the stick from the first lift.
For some players, that extra attention to detail matters just as much as the strike.
Does premium mean better for everyone?
No.
That is important.
A premium hurley is not automatically the right choice for every player. Plenty of excellent players are perfectly happy with a standard hurley.
The best hurley is the one that suits:
- your level
- your budget
- your preference
- your hand
- your game
Sometimes a player will prefer the feel of one standard hurley over another premium hurley. Hurling is personal like that.
Who should choose a standard hurley?
A standard hurley may be right for you if:
- you want strong value for money
- you are a developing player
- you are buying for a juvenile player
- you are ordering for a club or school
- you want a dependable everyday hurley
If that sounds like you, have a look at our Standard Hurls or go straight to the Adult Senior Hurl.
The adult senior hurl page currently describes the product as handcrafted from premium Irish ash and designed for adult players at all levels, from recreational to competitive, with grip colour and grip type options shown on the page.
Who should choose a premium hurley?
A premium hurley may suit you if:
- you are very particular about the feel of your hurley
- you want a more refined finish
- you value timber selection
- you play regularly and take pride in your gear
- you want a higher-spec overall hurley
If that sounds like you, browse our Premium Hurleys.
How Hurley Essence fits in
If you are investing in a premium hurley especially, it makes sense to look after it properly.
Our Hurley Essence Oil sits within the premium collection on the site and is there to help keep the timber nourished and protected over time. The premium collection currently lists Hurley Essence Oil at £11.99 sale price.
If you want to read more about care and maintenance, link this post to:
How to Look After a Hurley and Make It Last Longer
| Feature | Standard Hurley | Premium Hurley |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Players who want a reliable, well-made hurley for training and match use | Players who want a more refined, higher-spec hurley with extra detail |
| Timber | Strong quality ash suitable for all levels | Hand-selected Irish A* graded ash with superior grain quality |
| Feel in hand | Solid, dependable and balanced | More refined, more bespoke, built for players who are particular about feel |
| Finish | Clean handmade finish built for regular use | Higher-end finish with extra attention to detail |
| Custom options | Standard size and grip choices | Can be customised to your specifications, including size, weight, bas shape and handle grip |
| Extra details | Straightforward performance-focused hurl | Can include engraving and signature details |
| Protection & care | Standard care recommended | Includes Premium Hurley Essence to help prevent drying and cracking |
| Grip | Standard grip options available | Finished with a premium grip |
| Who it suits | Juvenile, club, school and adult players wanting strong value and performance | Serious players, gift buyers, and anyone wanting top timber and a more bespoke stick |
| Price point | More affordable everyday option | Higher-end option — currently £60 for premium and £70 for premium goalkeeper on the collection page |
Delivery and reassurance
If someone is choosing between standard and premium online, it helps to know what to expect.
Your Shipping Info page currently says custom items take 1–4 working days, standard hurls and accessories 1–2 days when in stock, NI delivery is 1–2 days, ROI is around 3 days, and mainland GB usually 1–2 working days via DHL. Your FAQ also says customers can contact you within 14 days if they are not satisfied, while custom or engraved hurls cannot be returned unless faulty or not to agreed spec.
That sort of reassurance matters when people are spending more on a premium option.
A bit of workshop insight from us
At Martin Hurls, we would always say this:
the best hurley is not simply the dearest one — it is the one that suits the player best.
Some players want a solid, dependable everyday hurl and that is exactly what they need.
Others want the extra selection, finish and feel that comes with premium.
Both have their place. The important thing is being honest about the difference and helping players make the right choice.
Final thoughts
If you are choosing between a premium and standard hurley, do not just ask:
Which one is better?
Ask instead:
Which one is better for me?
If you want strong value, dependable performance and a hurley you can trust, look at our Standard Hurls.
If you want selected timber, a more refined finish and that higher-end overall feel, look at our Premium Hurleys.
And if you want to keep any hurley in better condition, add Hurley Essence Oil into the mix too.
For more help before ordering, see our Frequently Asked Questions and Shipping Info.