Key Takeaways:

• The weight of a dart is a deeply personal choice and depends on one’s playing style, technique, and comfort.
• Beginners are typically advised to start with lighter darts in the range of 18-22 grams to help them develop proper technique.
• Intermediate players often gravitate towards darts weighing 22-24 grams to gain more stability as their skills progress.
• While there’s no universal dart weight among professionals, many tend to use darts in the range of 22-24 grams.

Introduction

As you journey through this article, you’re about to unravel a meticulously researched insight into the world of professional darts players and their weight preferences. So, with the bullseye in sight and curiosity piqued, are you ready to delve deeper into the secret arsenal of the darts elite? Your perfect throw might just hinge on this knowledge!

“Pro dart players use different dart weights. Most choose between 12-30 grams. The perfect weight depends on the player’s hand and throw style. Just like shoes, everyone has a fit that’s best for them!”

In this article, I will look into the following:

What is the Ideal Dart Weight?

Here are a few tips on choosing the ideal dart weight:

• Dart weight is a personal preference. There is no universally ideal weight that works for everyone. It depends on your throw style, skill level, and personal comfort.
• For beginners, a lighter dart around 18-22 grams is recommended. The lighter weight allows you to develop proper throwing mechanics without fatiguing your arm.
• Intermediate players often use darts in the 22–26-gram range. The slightly heavier weight provides stability and consistency as skills improve.
• Advanced players tend to use heavier darts of 24-32 grams or more. The weight provides power and control for experienced throwers.

• Consider the weight distribution too. Rear-weighted darts are better for back grip throwers. Front-weighted darts suit throwers who grip nearer the point.
• Test different weights to find the best match. Throw several rounds with various weights to determine which gives the most control and accuracy.
• Over time, you may increase weight as your abilities improve. But focus on technique rather than speeding up with a heavier dart.

The ideal dart depends on you. Try various weights and find the one that enhances your personal performance and comfort. A good starting point is around 20-22 grams for many players.

What weight darts do the pros use?

There are a few common dart weights that professionals use:

• 22-24 grams: This is the most common weight range used by top pros. Many find this provides a good balance of stability and maneuverability.
• 25-28 grams: Heavier barrels provide more stability and consistency for some players. But they require a bit more strength and effort to throw.
• 18-21 grams: Lighter darts are less common but allow for faster throwing and maneuvering. Some professionals use these if it suits their throwing style.
• 26-30+ grams: A few players use extremely heavy darts, like Phil Taylor who used 32-gram barrels. But most find these too tiring for consistent play.

The exact weight comes down to personal preference and what the player finds optimal for their technique. But 22-24g gives a good benchmark for the most popular professional weights. The barrels used also impact the feel and center of gravity. So, pros test many combinations to find their ideal darts.

The Dart Weight Preferences of World-Class Players

Player Name	Description
Michael Van Gerwen	Match darts weigh 26 grams. Practice darts weigh 28 grams. Started with 20–22-gram darts in 2006. Increased to 24–25-gram darts by 2013.
Phil Taylor	Early Career (1980s-1990s): 18-22 grams darts. Prime Years (1990s-2000s): 24-26 grams darts. Later Career (2000s-2010s): 26–28-gram darts. Exhibition Matches: up to 50 grams darts.
Gary Anderson	Uses 24g Unicorn Phase 4 darts. Barrels of the darts are very thin with sharp grooves. Also has a line of 90% tungsten darts named “Unisex 2019 Edition”.
Raymond van Barneveld	Prefers Target RVB95 darts. The front half of the dart is dimplexed, while the rear half is grooved. His dart style prioritizes power over finesse.
Adrian Lewis	Relies on Target darts weighing 21 grams. Also uses G3 steel tip darts weighing 23 grams for competitions. Known for his competitive attitude and unique game style.

What’s the significance of choosing the right dart weight for pros?

Choosing the right dart weight is crucial for professional players as it directly impacts their performance on the board. The weight that suits their throwing style and helps them maintain consistency in their shots is key to achieving success.

• Consistency and control: Heavier darts require more strength and effort to throw, but allow for greater control and consistency once the throw is mastered. Lighter darts are easier to throw but are more prone to wavering off target. Finding the ideal weight helps pros maximize control.
• Matching play style: Weight preference varies by player. Faster, aggressive throwers may prefer lighter darts around 18-22 grams to generate speed. Slower, precise players may opt for heavier 23–26-gram darts for stability. Matching the weight to their style creates optimal conditions.
• Personal preference: Within a reasonable range, personal preference rules. The weight needs to “feel right” in the player’s hand and with their motion. Pros test many weights to find the one suited to their individual style, strengths and preferences.
• Consistency over time: Once the ideal weight is found, pros commit to it long-term. Keeping the same weight facilitates muscle memory and consistent mechanics over thousands of throws. Changing weight on a whim can disrupt their finely-tuned technique.
• Fine-tuning for situations: Some pros may make minor weight adjustments in certain game situations. For example, switching to a slightly lighter dart for the bullseye or double-out combinations requiring more finesse and accuracy.

Carefully selecting and sticking to the right dart weight allows professionals to optimize control, consistency and personal comfort needed to perform at the highest levels over time. Fine-tuning for special situations also helps.

Best dart weight for intermediate

For intermediate darts players, a good guideline for dart weight is typically in the 22–24-gram range. Here are some tips on choosing the best weight as an improving player:

• Start towards the lower end around 22g and test heavier weights from there. As an intermediate player, you are still developing consistency and control. So, err on the side of slightly lighter darts at first.
• Make small increments of 1-2 grams when experimenting with heavier weights. Jumping up too high too quickly can ruin your throwing mechanics.
• Use a weight that provides stability but doesn’t fatigue your throwing arm. As an intermediate, you want to build up strength and stamina. But you don’t want to use an overly heavy dart that impacts your technique.
• Consider your grip position. Rear-gripped throwers can use slightly heavier darts than those who grip closer to the point. The balance affects how the weight feels.
• Focus on tightening your grouping rather than throwing hard. Accuracy is more important than speed as you progress out of the beginner level.
• Give a new weight adequate practice before judging if it works for you. It takes time to adjust to the feel of a different dart weight.

The 22–24-gram range serves many intermediate players well. But take the time to experiment and find the exact weight that optimizes your throw at your current skill level.

What weight darts for beginners?

For beginners just starting out in darts, lighter weight darts in the 18–22-gram range are generally recommended. Here are some guidelines on dart weights for beginners:

• Start at the lowest end of the range. 18–20-gram darts are a good starting point for most beginners. The light weight makes it easier to grip the darts and develop proper throwing techniques.
• Focus on control rather than power. As a beginner, accuracy is more important than throwing hard. A lighter dart will make it easier to work on your mechanics.
• Try different shapes/grips. Beginners may want to try different barrel shapes and grip styles to find what feels most comfortable while learning.
• Consider heavier weights gradually. Once you’ve developed solid fundamentals with lighter darts, you can start testing heavier weights in small increments to challenge yourself.
• Increase weight as skills improve. As you get better and transition from beginner to intermediate player, you may naturally increase the dart weight for more stability and consistency.
• Avoid going too heavy too fast. Moving up in weight requires adjusting your throw, so take it slowly. Jumping to a much heavier dart too quickly can mess up your form.

The key is starting light to learn the proper techniques and build finger/arm strength. As a beginner focuses on developing accuracy and consistent groupings, a lighter dart in the 18–22-gram range allows you to throw smoothly and build confidence.

What are the advantages of using heavier darts for professional players?

Heavier darts can provide more momentum and power to a player’s throw. This can help in achieving higher scores and penetrating the dartboard more effectively, especially for players with a forceful throwing technique.

• Improved stability and consistency: The extra weight helps counter minor shaking or fluctuations in the throw, allowing professionals to have tighter shot groupings. This leads to better accuracy over many throws.
• Penetration into the board: Heavier darts require more force and often stick better and deeper into the board. This improves scoring reliability, especially on tighter doubles and triples.
• Wind resistance: During tournaments the extra weight helps overcome drift from HVAC systems or fans which can deflect lighter darts off course.
• Durability: The heavier metal barrels are more resistant to “robin-hooding” where a dart sticks into the back of another dart already in the board. This improves dart lifespan.
• Confidence: A heavy dart can provide a psychological boost and make pros feel like they have more control. This translates into reduced anxiety and more confidence under pressure.
• Personal preference: Many top professionals simply feel more comfortable and consistent using a heavier dart within their optimal weight range. It suits their throwing style and strengths.
• Consistency over time: Having an unwavering weight for all throws ingrains muscle memory and mechanics better than fluctuating weights.

So, while heavier isn’t universally better, for many professionals the improved stability, penetration, durability and confidence of a heavier dart within their ideal range can provide an advantage to perform at the highest levels.

Final Thoughts

As we’ve journeyed through this article, it’s evident that the weight of a dart isn’t just a number—it’s an intricate choice steeped in personal preference, playing style, and strategic advantage. Every dart enthusiast, whether they’re just starting out or have been playing for years, can glean significant insights from the choices of the pros. While we’ve shared the weight preferences of top-tier players and the reasoning behind them, remember that the ultimate choice rests with the individual.

For professional players, the question of “what weight darts do the pros use” holds both complexity and nuance. Dart weight is a matter of personal finesse, a unique blend of power and precision that’s as individual as the player themselves. The dart board becomes their canvas, and the weight of their chosen dart, their brushstroke.