Dozens of sets, hundreds of barrels: which darts should you choose as a beginner? The good news is that it doesn't have to be complicated. A few choices will get you off to a great start: the right type, a medium weight, a straight barrel and a medium grip.
Step 1: steeltip or softtip?
First, look at your board. A traditional sisal board needs steeltip darts with a metal point. An electronic board needs softtip darts with a plastic tip. A steeltip on an electronic board damages the board, and a softtip hardly sticks in a sisal board.
Step 2: brass or tungsten?
Brass is cheap and perfectly fine for trying things out or if you only throw now and then, for example the Bull's Charge Yellow Brass Steeltip. Because of the lower density, brass barrels are thicker, which means your darts bounce off each other more easily. Tungsten is denser, so the barrel is slimmer and you can group more tightly. If you want to start seriously, tungsten is usually the better buy. An affordable way in is, for example, the Shot Birds of Prey Osprey 80%.
Step 3: weight
For most beginners, 22 to 24 grams is a safe choice. Lighter darts fly faster and demand more timing. Heavier darts sometimes feel too dominant in your hand. Try 23 grams, for example, like the Bull's Liam Maendl-Lawrance CP Steeltip 90% 23 gram, the Target Jeffrey de Graaf G1 90% Swiss 23 gram or the Shot Barbora Hospodárská 2.0 90% 23 gram. You can find more explanation in which weight of darts to choose.
Step 4: barrel shape
A straight barrel is usually the safest choice: predictable and suitable for different ways of holding the dart. A torpedo shape is slightly thicker and gives some players more hold. It's best to leave strongly pronounced shapes alone until you know what you need.
Step 5: grip
Choose a medium grip. Too little grip lets the dart slip away, while too much makes it stick at the release. A simple ring pattern or an average distribution of grooves works fine for most beginners.
Step 6: shaft and flight
Start with a standard flight and a medium or intermediate shaft. That is the most forgiving combination. Adjust later if your dart comes in too flat or too steep. You can read more about this in choosing shafts. If you want to try out flights, take a look at the Bull's Flight Test Kit.
A case is not a luxury
A good set deserves protection. A simple Shot Drop in Dart Case keeps your darts, shafts and flights together. You'll find more options at dart cases.
How to avoid a bad buy
- Don't buy blindly based on colour or the name of a pro.
- Read the product description: weight, material, barrel shape and what's included in the set.
- Avoid extreme combinations, such as a heavy barrel with small flights.
- Give your set at least a few sessions before you judge it.
When do you need different darts?
Your first set isn't always your permanent set. If you keep looking for a different place to grip, your darts fly unsteadily or the set never feels natural, something isn't right yet. Adjust the shaft or flight first. A new barrel is only needed if that doesn't help. Want to go over the rules before you start? Read darts rules for beginners.