Your darts fly reasonably well, but something doesn't feel quite right? Then it's worth taking a look at your shaft. The small piece between barrel and flight helps determine how stable the dart flies and at what angle it lands in the board. A few millimetres of difference can be noticeable.
What does a shaft do?
The shaft connects the barrel to the flight. By changing the length you move the flight forwards or backwards, which lets you adjust the flight behaviour. You don't need to buy new darts for it, and shafts are cheap to test.
Short, intermediate or medium
The names differ per brand, but the logic stays the same. Always check the length in millimetres on the product page, because 'short' at one brand is not identical to 'short' at another.
- Short: compact, direct dart. Suits a fast, straight throw and players who like to group tightly. The dart can fly less steadily if your release isn't consistent.
- Intermediate: between short and medium. A safe starting choice if you don't yet know what you need.
- Medium: more stability and calm in the air. Handy with lighter barrels or a softer throw. The setup feels slightly longer.
At Target you can find the lengths in the name, for example the Target Ink Pro Grip Nylon Shaft Short and the Target Ink Pro Grip Nylon Shaft 42 mm Intermediate.
Which length suits your throw?
Look at what your dart does from your release. Does the tip land too high or too low in the board? Does it wobble in the air, or dive down too quickly? Then shaft length may be playing a part. A fast, powerful throw often works well with a shorter shaft. With a calm, smooth throw a longer shaft can make the flight cleaner. Your grip counts too: if you hold the barrel far back, a different length will feel different more quickly.
Shaft and flight belong together
A large standard flight on a medium shaft gives a lot of stability. A narrow flight on a short shaft makes the dart faster and more direct. A short shaft with a flight that is too big feels sluggish, and a long shaft with a small flight sometimes gives too little control. If you want to try flights, the Bull's Flight Test Kit with five sets is a cheap way to compare shapes. You can find the full range at dart flights.
Material: nylon or carbon
Nylon is cheap, light and a bit flexible, but breaks sooner on hard impacts. It's a good basis for beginners, for example the Bull's Nylon Dura. Carbon is stiffer and stays good-looking for longer. Interesting options are the Bull's Carboni and the Shot Koi Carbon Special. A different material gives a slightly different feel, so expect to adjust your length choice again afterwards. All options are at shafts.
How to test step by step
- Start with the length closest to your current set.
- Change one part at a time, so only the shaft first and the same flight.
- Play at least a few legs or a practice session. One turn tells you nothing.
- Look at the pattern in the board, not just the feel in your hand.
- If you play short, try intermediate. If you play medium, try intermediate or short.
What is the best length?
There is no universal answer. Beginners usually do well with intermediate or medium, because those are more forgiving. Advanced players use the length to fine-tune their setup. Haven't found your weight yet either? Then read which weight of darts to choose.