How to Buy a Field Hockey Stick

How to buy a field hockey stick

This guide buying guide should help you buy a field hockey stick that is right for you. Just follow the steps below.

  1. What level player is the sick for ?
  2. How tall is the player ?
  3. What position is the player likely to be in?
  4. How much do you want to spend?
  5. Particular skills or style the player wants to focus on?
BrandModelPricePlayerPower
GraysGX10000$$$Elite****
GraysGX7000$$Elite****
OSAKAPro Tour$$$$$Elite*****
TKPlatinum 1$$$$Elite****
TKSynergy S2 $$Elite****
GryphonTaboo Blue Steel$$$$Elite****
STXSurgeon 500$$$Elite*****
AdidasLX24 COMPO 1$$$$Elite***
Adidas V24$$$$Elite****
STXStallion 700$$$$$Elite*****
GraysNano 10 Jumbow Maxi$$$Elite***
MazonBlack Magic V5$$$$Elite*****
GraysSurf 500$Junior*
DitaSmarter$$Junior*
STXStallion 100 Stick$$$Junior***
STXSurgeon 50$$Junior**
TKWild$$Junior**
AdidasX24 Compo 6$$$Junior***
DragonflyMystique Sola$Junior*
GraysGX2000$$Intermediate*
STXStallion 300$$$$Intermediate**
TKTrillium 4$Intermediate*
GraysGX4000$$Intermediate*
AdidasLX24 Compo 5$$$Intermediate*
OBOFatboy$$$$$Goalkeeper*****
STXShield$$$Goalkeeper***
GraysGX4000$$Goalkeeper***
GraysGX5000$$$$Goalkeeper****
GraysG200$Goalkeeper**
TKG5$$$Goalkeeper****
Gryphon Sentinel$$$Goalkeeper****
HarrowFestival$$$Goalkeeper***

Here are some general tips for buying a stick.

  • The higher the percentage of carbon fiber the stick has in it the more expensive it will be.
  • Well known quality field hockey brands (like the ones on discussed on this site) will always be more expensive than the cheaper lower quality brands. I know this seems fairly obvious, but from my own experience I have learnt this lesson. I bought a cheap stick thinking I would save myself some cash but after 3 serious games it was half falling apart where as some of my other big brand sticks have lasted for years, so something to consider.
  • Senior sticks are cheaper that Junior sticks of the same caliber, e.g. a Gryphon Taboo Blue Steel will be more expensive as a seniors stick compared to that same model in the Junior range, however a Junior Gryphon Taboo Blue Steel may be more expensive than say a Gryphon Blade in a seniors because it is a high end stick for juniors vs a lower end seniors stick.
  • Steer clear of faddish styles in stick design, especially when buying online. By this we mean, when a brand puts ‘rails’ or ‘channels’ to guide the ball when drag flicking or similar motions. While this may be great for these particular activities, there is a reason that not every stick has this design. This generally reduces the sticks ability to perform in other more common scenarios. Other examples maybe textured faces on the sticks head Grays did this and other brands have attempted it. It’s nice when you first use or demo the stick, however it then becomes slippery after a bit of use, the sweet spot can be ruined quicker than other traditional sticks.Not all new features or technology coming out this year in field hockey sticks is bad however. There are some pretty great advancements in construction and less extreme mods. Some to look out for are;
    • Edge protection
    • Heel protection against wear
    • Toe protection for tomahawk shots. Using the reversed direction to swing your stick to hit the ball on an angle when shooting, otherwise known as a tomahawk shot has become increasingly more common in modern field hockey. There are two main reasons for this. The first being that players are training harder, becoming more skilled and looking for any way to have the advantage in an ever increasingly competitive sport. Pulling off this type of shot successfully and reliably requires a massive amount of skill and practice. The other main reason why this shot is more popular is the advancement in stick technology.

Remember to put names with pen on your gear

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