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Anatomy of the dart
No two darts are the same. Finding yours might take years—but the payoff is real.
A dart is made of four main parts: the point, barrel, shaft, and flight. Each plays a role in how your dart feels in your hand, behaves in the air and enters the board. Below is a quick breakdown of each component—and how subtle changes can shift your entire game.
Points
Where steal meets sisal
Standard dart points sit around 26–32mm. Great for beginners—shorter points fly straighter and bounce out less. Simple, stable, reliable.
At The Darts Hole, we offer a repointing service with 35mm, 38mm, and 40mm options. Why go longer? Because longer points push the barrel back from the board, giving you more visible scoring space for your next dart.
And we’ve not stopped there. We've partnered with Eagle Darts to offer speciality points that not only improve grip in the hand and board but also look spectacular - available at 34mm and 40mm #pointproven
The Barrel
The grip that guides the throw
Barrels come in a variety shapes—torpedo, straight, tapered amongst others — each tuned to distribute the weight and suit different grip styles:
- Torpedo/Bomb shifts the weight forward for front grippers
- Straight is an even distribution to suit mid (but can work for any)
- Tapered (depending where) will generally work well for rear grippers
The darts we stock are crafted from tungsten over brass—a denser, more durable metal that allows for slimmer profiles without sacrificing weight. That means tighter grouping, better balance, and long-term resilience.
We offer weights from 20g to 27g across a variety of shapes, so whether you throw with finesse or force, there’s a barrel that fits your hand and your rhythm.
Shaft and Flights
Your dart’s balance, drag, and flight path — all shaped here.
Shafts control how your dart flies. Nylon is light and flexible — great for beginners. Aluminium adds weight and durability. Length matters too. Short shafts fly fast and steep. Medium shafts slow things down, adding stability. Intermediate sits in the middle — a safe starting point.
Flights add drag and keep your dart steady. The shape will affect control, standard flights are big and stable. Slim flights fly faster and suit tighter groupings. Thickness (Microns) affects durability. Thicker flights hold their shape. Thinner ones wear quicker but feel lighter.
Modern dart players often use fused shaft-and-flight systems. No fiddling, no loose bits — just throw. Check out the Winmau Fusions at The Darts Hole. They’re tough, tidy, and built to last.
Board setup
Height, distance, light — get it right
Your dartboard should hang with the bullseye at 5 foot 8 inches from the floor — that’s 173 cm, the official standard.
Mark your oche line 7 feet 9¼ inches from the face of the board — not the wall. If your board sits on a backboard or foam surround, measure from the front edge. Or go diagonal: 9 feet 7½ inches from the bullseye to the oche gives you the same result.
Make sure your board is well lit. Shadows mess with your focus, and clear vision helps you aim with intent.
Protect your walls. Keep your partner, parents, or landlord off your back. House your board in a cabinet or grab one of our surrounds to stop wayward darts from punching holes where they shouldn’t.
Give yourself space. You want at least 2 feet clearance either side of the board for bounce-outs and stray throws, and enough room behind the oche to step up, settle in, and throw with confidence.
Finding your throw
Comfort & Consistency
We’re not here to make you a champ. But we might just help you nudge that average up a few points.
Start with Comfort
The way you naturally pick up a dart? That’s your best starting point.
- Don’t overthink grip styles or copy pros.
- Your instinctive hold is usually the easiest path to “your throw.”
Find Your Line
Side-on or face-on? It usually comes down to which eye your brain trusts most.
- Right-eye dominant players often feel more natural with a side-on stance, right foot forward.
- Left-eye dominant throwers may prefer a face-on position to keep their dominant eye aligned with the target.
- The goal is a clear, comfortable line of sight from your eye to the dartboard.
Test it:
Stand back and extend your arms, forming a small triangle with your hands. Focus on the bullseye through the opening. Keeping the bull centered, close one eye, then the other.
- If the bullseye stays centered when your left eye is closed, you're right-eye dominant.
- If it shifts out of view, your left eye is dominant.
Stable Base, Smooth Release
Once your stance feels natural, the magic is in the stillness.
- Keep your body quiet—no leaning, lunging, or twisting.
- The throw comes from your arm, not your shoulders or hips.
- Your elbow drives the motion, and your wrist flicks through on release.
Only your hand, wrist, and forearm should be active. The rest of your body? Locked in.
Then Chase Consistency
Whatever you do—make it repeatable.
- Aim for alignment: your arm should follow through straight.
- Repeat the same motion, again and again.
- That’s when the payoff starts. That’s when the numbers climb.
No Magic, Just Momentum.
Practice Makes Progress
You can’t get worse by playing — only sharper.
The best way to improve is simple: throw darts. You won’t get worse by playing — every throw teaches you something. Don’t wait for perfect form or ideal conditions. Just play. The more you throw, the more natural your grip, stance, and release will feel.
Warm Up Properly
No one hits their best darts cold. Start each session by going around the board — aim for the big single segments 1–20. This builds rhythm, calibrates your throw, and gets your eye in. Focus on line, weight, and release — not results.
Doubles Win Games
It’s a cliché because it’s true: trebles for show, doubles for dough. If you want to win legs, you need to finish them. Try “Bob’s 27” on DartCounter or throw one dart at each double from 1–20. Track your progress and aim to beat your last score.
Stop Scoring Zero
The fastest way to lift your average is to hit doubles sooner. Every missed double is a wasted visit. Practicing finishes — especially under pressure — will transform your game more than chasing 180s.
Mix Up Your Games
501 is the gold standard — it builds consistency, stamina, and scoring power. But don’t be afraid to switch it up. Games like DIDO (Double In, Double Out), 301, or 170 get you to your setup shots and checkouts faster. They sharpen your finishing instincts and force you to focus on the most important part of the leg: closing it out.
Mindset
Throw with intent. Learn with patience. Play with joy.
Darts rewards repetition, but it’s mindset that keeps you coming back. You won’t hit your best darts every time — and that’s fine. Progress isn’t linear. Some days you’ll feel sharp. Other days, nothing lands.
Focus on the throw, not the outcome. Every dart teaches you something — about your grip, your stance, your rhythm. Look for consistency.
Play with purpose, but don’t forget the fun. Whether you’re practicing doubles or chasing a 180, enjoy the process. Celebrate the good darts. Laugh off the bad ones. That’s how you build confidence.
And remember: everyone starts somewhere. The pros missed too. What matters is showing up, throwing with intent, and learning as you go!