Score a Bullseye with Our Guide to the Best Darts
Darts is a sport that is popular with a particular crowd. When you think of professional darts players, you don’t think of sculpted athletes in the best shape of their life. However, you do think of over-the-top characters, raucous atmospheres, and laser accuracy and precision.
To the uninitiated, scoring a bullseye on a dartboard may seem like an impossible task. However, with the right set of darts, you give yourself the best possible chance to improve your form and get better at this unique and enjoyable game.
But how do you pick the right darts? We are here to help! There are so many things to consider; it is easy to get confused. However, our comprehensive buying guide will sort you out with all the knowledge you need to find the perfect set of darts.
Want to know more? Check out the rest of the article below.
What are darts?
Darts are small, handheld projectiles made up of several parts, including a barrel, flight, and shaft. They are commonly used in the sport of darts, sometimes referred to as dart-throwing.
Things to consider when buying darts
There are many things to keep in mind when purchasing a set of darts, chiefly the many features that come together to make up a dart. These include:
Barrel grips
In our opinion, the barrel grip is the most important feature of the dart. You want the barrel to feel comfortable in your hand and compliment your throwing style. Some dart barrels feature distinct knurling for added grip, while others are totally smooth. While many darts players prefer heavy knurling, it can cause the barrel to stick to your hand and throw off accuracy.
Flights
The flight is the part of the dart where you have the most choice over style and design. You can buy custom-made flights which completely represent your personality. There are smooth and dimpled surfaces, which both impact your form. For example, dimpled flights help stabilize your darts mid-flight.
Shafts
Just like barrels and flights, dart shafts come in many different varieties. These include:
Nylon or plastic:
These dart shafts are usually very cheap and available in various colors. However, they tend to break a lot more than other shafts. Therefore, they are perfect for beginner players. However, when you start getting your darts tight together on the board (180!), you’ll probably find you need something a bit sturdier.
Carbon-Fiber:
Carob fiber shafts are durable and lightweight, though they are more expensive than the cheapest plastic nylon shafts. A good set of carbon-fiber darts will prove extremely durable and won’t loosen or bend in the barrel, allowing for a higher degree of accuracy over time.
Aluminum:
Aluminium shafts are very durable and rigid, particular when compared to carbon and plastic shafts. They are available in all sorts of designs and styles. However, they can often come loose, particularly if you prefer to use heavier darts. You may also have to pry them open if you favor thick flights.
Spinning:
If you are looking for something slightly different, you may want to invest in spinning shafts. These types of shafts actually maneuver out of the way if they are struck by an incoming dart. While this does not improve their flight, it helps regularly group your darts close together on the board.
Composite:
If you are looking for a good allrounder, you may choose a composite shaft. These shafts feature a plastic basis and an aluminum top that keeps the flight in place. Most experts would tell you these are some of the best dart shafts around. They are both durable and will not loosen like aluminum shafts. You can also replace the metal tops whenever necessary.
Weight
The weight of your dart is significant. In fact, once you get to grips with one particular darts weight, it is likely anything else will feel completely alien to you. You can find darts that weigh anywhere from 12 to 50 grams. However, you will not find many serious darts players using anything over 30 grams.
We recommend taking a trip to your local dart or sports store and getting a feel for each weight. Your general throwing speed usually dictates which weight you should choose. On the other hand, if you throw hard and fast, a lighter weight will prove beneficial.
You also need to consider where the weight is located in the dart barrel. Some darts are front-loaded, while others are back-weighted. The only way to tell which weight feels right for you is to practice with them yourself.
Customer reviews
If you are purchasing your darts supplies online, it is always a good idea to consult customer reviews before making your purchase. This is the best way to figure out whether a dart will be right for you without actually handling it yourself. Additionally, you should leave your own feedback and help other buyers decide the future.
Darts price range
The price of a set of darts depends on the material used, type of shaft, barrel, etc. If you are a beginner, you can find a decent set of darts for under $20. However, these won’t last you forever. If you are looking for an awe-inspiring dart set, you can easily spend over $200 on a single dart.
However, bear in mind that the most expensive darts will not improve your accuracy overnight. While they will offer some stability during the flight, you should focus on practicing with durable darts first and foremost before spending a lot of money.
FAQs
Who is the most successful darts player of all time?
Without a doubt, Phil “the Power” Taylor is the most successful darts player of all time. Taylor has 16 World Championships to his name and 16 World Matchplay titles, and 11 World Grand Prix times.
What is the highest score you can finish on in darts?
The highest score you can check out in darts is 170. This requires two treble 20s followed by the bullseye.
What is a nine-dart finish?
A nine-dart finish is when you check out from 501 in only nine throws. There are a couple of ways to do this, but you cannot finish with fewer darts than that.