Darts is a sport that demands precision, focus, and technique. No longer is it a case of darts in one hand and a pint in the other - the sport has evolved into a hugely competitive sport worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned Dartist or just starting out, having the right equipment is essential for honing your skills and maximising your enjoyment of the game.
In this guide, we'll take you through the various types of darts equipment available and why each piece is crucial for enhancing your performance. We can’t promise we’ll have Russ Bray bellowing out “One Hundred and Eighty” shouts at you, but we can get you on the path to the Sid Waddell trophy - even Phil Taylor, Luke Littler, and Peter Wright started somewhere!
Choosing The Right Darts
Every player requires a set of darts to play. Selecting the right set of darts is perhaps the most personal aspect of the game. Darts come in various weights, designs, and materials, allowing players to customise their playing experience according to their throwing style and preferences. Tungsten darts are the most commonly used because of their slim profiles, which reduce bounce-outs and improve accuracy.
Typically for beginners, a 24g weight dart is a great starting point.
Darts Flights
Flights are the small, wing-like components attached to the back of the dart. They stabilise the dart's trajectory mid-flight, ensuring a consistent and predictable path towards the target. Flights come in numerous shapes, catering to different throwing techniques and preferences. Standard, slim, kite, and pear-shaped flights are among the most common choices.
Darts flights also come in a variety of designs, helping to personalise the equipment for each player with colours and styles.
Darts Shafts
Shafts, also known as stems or barrels, are the connecting components between the dart and the flight. They come in various lengths and materials, each influencing the dart's balance and flight characteristics. Longer shafts provide stability and reduce wobble, while shorter shafts offer greater manoeuvrability and tighter groupings.
A medium shaft is useful for beginners as you develop your throwing style and technique.
Dart Cases
A dart case may seem like a minor accessory, but it plays a significant role in protecting and organising your dart equipment. A good dart case keeps your darts secure during transportation, preventing damage to the delicate tips and flights. Additionally, it helps you stay organised by providing designated slots for your darts, flights, and accessories.
Dartboards
Your dartboard is at the heart of every dart game and is the target area to aim at. A board is split into 20 numerical slices from 1-20, each with an outer section which doubles the number, and a middle section that trebles the number hit. The centre of the board, or Bull, has a centre section worth 50 points, and an outer section worth 25.
Dartboards are typically available in different materials such as sisal, cork. Sisal dartboards are the preferred choice for serious players due to their durability and self-healing properties, ensuring longevity even with frequent use.
Shop Darts & Darts Accessories at Greaves Sports
At Greaves, we are huge darts fans, and our expert team can help guide you on the right equipment you need to start your darts journey or to help refine your existing setup. Having the right equipment can make all the difference between a mediocre performance and a stellar one. From the dartboard to the flights, each piece of equipment serves a crucial role in enhancing your accuracy, consistency, and overall enjoyment of the game.
By investing in quality dart equipment tailored to your preferences, you can elevate your gameplay to new heights and experience the thrill of high scoring and deadly doubles.
Shop darts, dartboards, and darts accessories online or in-store at Greaves Sports today.