How To Choose A Dart

Choosing your first dart

When playing a game of darts, your aim and the darts make a significant impact on the success of your game.

If you are a first-time player, or just after a set of darts for a bit of fun, then we would suggest going with something that suits the most people. It might not be the best dart for you, but the odds are it will be a very good place to start. We’d also suggest a dart that has grip along its full length so you can change your grip and find what feels most natural for you.

Check out our Beginners collection on our website to see a mix of beginners darts, accessories and beginners dartboards to help you get started! 

Most people play with a straight barrel dart. Heavier darts are easier to throw for beginners so go for something between 26g and 32g. We’d recommend a 26g. Straight barrel. Short stem. Standard No2 flight. As you get better you tend o get lighter and thinner (to get more in the treble).

It’s then a matter of how much you want to invest and what colour and style you like!

A brass dart is cheaper alternative for beginners and fine for fun. Our suggestions would be: Brass, Straight barrel, 26g - 32g

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If you are going to get more serious then try a Tungsten dart and read below for more advice on what to choose. Some suggestions would be: Tungsten, Straight barrel, 26g: 

Check out Tungsten Darts

If you are starting your darts journey seriously then read the rest of the blog (Watch the video) first.

 

 

Choosing a new dart dart Here at Darts Corner, we have put together a guide so that when it comes to upgrading your worn out darts to a more high performance set, you’re aware of all the key factors that you need to consider. We’ll take you through choosing the right shaft and barrel combination, as well as assisting you to determine the right type of tip for you.

1. Select the right material.

Just Tungsten or brass

Darts are available in various materials, from plastic and wood to metals such as silver, brass and nickel. If you’re not playing at professional level, the material choice will be mostly due to a matter of preference. You can become a competitive player using any material, as long as it is easy to hold and weighted properly.

If you’re a brand new player or on a budget, we would recommend choosing a brass dart. They are relatively durable and come with a smaller price tag than darts crafted from pro-grade Tungsten materials.

Professional darts players tend to opt for Tungsten due to its even weight, flawless finish and resistance to wear and tear. This high quality material does make the dart more expensive.

2. Experiment with weights.

Play a full game with a set of light, medium and heavy darts and see what works for you.

While lightweight darts (16g to 22g) need less force to throw, but they are more difficult to throw as they can often lose control once they’re in motion. A heavier dart (26g upwards) will fly controlled and straight, yet requires a little more physical strength to throw.

Again this comes down to personal preference, with differing weights you’re sure to find a dart that suits you. However, if you find your throwing is a little inconsistent, an in-between weight will work best for you.

If you’re a first time player, we would recommend a 26g as it’s the most balanced for a beginner. 22g is the most commonly used dart weight by professionals.

3. Choose the right barrel shape.

The barrel of a dart is the part of the dart you hold when throwing. Start with a straight barrel. After that try and borrow darts from friends and family to see what feels right in your hand and when thrown.

You can also book a darts fitting experience.

If you’re new to the game you can experiment with different grips. Try with three fingers, 4 fingers and a pencil grip (holding like a pencil) and stick to the one that feels the most natural and comfortable to you.

4. Determine your grip.

Metal darts are designed with different types of grip. The more grip a dart has the more secure your grip is likely to be, however this doesn’t suit everyone; it’s about how you release the dart.

Going from least-grippy to most-grippy, you can get Ring Grip, Smooth, Knurled, Razor Grips.

Top tip: A smooth dart is usually more grippy than ringed!

 

Other factors to consider

1. Colour and style

Darts are available in an array of standout designs and colours. High visibility colours such as yellow, orange and green can help keep track of your darts on the board. Your darts are also less likely to be picked up by mistake if they are more distinctive to you!

Many darts players use their darts to showcase their personality during a match, that’s why here at Darts Corner we also offer personalised darts; so your darts are completely unique to you!

Here at Darts Corner, we have a broad range of darts to choose from, whether that’s steel tips or soft tips, you’re sure to find a style to suit your playing technique.

 

Check out our Beginners collection on our website to see a mix of beginners darts, accessories and beginners dartboards to help you get started!