Guide
Toolbox essentials for DIY projects
by Anika Schulz
Darts for beginners: your starting kit essentials
8/1/2024
Translation: Elicia Payne
The end of the World Darts Championship is just the start of the next World Darts Championship. If you’ve caught darts fever and want to emulate the stars at home, you need the right setup. I’ll give you tips on what you really need as a beginner, what you should look out for and what could be a nice addition.
If you’re just starting out with darts or want to have your own darts setup at home, you probably have a lot of questions. What do I need to look out for? Which dartboard and darts do I need? What other accessories could be useful for me? That’s why I want to share my tips with you.
Dartboards
First things first: you definitely shouldn’t skimp on the dartboard. In my opinion, it’s very important that the sisal disk has a modern spider, i.e. thinner wires. Especially for beginners, it can considerably reduce the fun of the game if the darts don’t stick properly because the wires are too thick.
Darts
Darts usually consist of a barrel with a tip, a shaft and a flight. As a beginner, you should try out a few to find the right grip, weight and shape for you. You can only find out if you play with different darts. If you have a store nearby, go there and have a feel of the options.
To begin with, I recommend starting with around 23-gramme darts. I also find darts with a recessed grip interesting. That helped me a lot at the start. In general, I wouldn’t buy darts that are too cheap or too expensive to start with. At 40 to 50 euros or Swiss francs, you’re well within your budget. I’d advise against brass darts. Equipped with a brass barrel, they’re of lower quality. Instead, go for darts with tungsten barrels.
Another important tip for beginners when buying darts: although the shaft and the flights have a major influence on the appearance of the darts, they’re ultimately consumables that need to be replaced regularly. The barrels are much more important. You have to like them. Not just visually, but above all in terms of grip, shape and weight.
I’ve reviewed two sets of darts, which you can read about below.
Dartboard surround
For beginners in particular, it’s advisable to add a surround, i.e. a protective ring, to the dartboard. Its main purpose is to protect the wall from the sharp metal darts when you inevitably miss.You don’t want your wallpaper looking like a piece of Emmental!
Dart stand
Not everyone can hang their dartboard on the wall. For some it’s a lack of space, for others it’s a fear of getting into trouble with the neighbours because of the noise. If it’s the latter, you can add insulation between the dartboard and the wall. Alternatively, you can opt for a portable dartboard stand.
As for me, I’m currently in the middle of a move. Once I’ve set up my dartboard in my new apartment the way I envision it, I’ll show you the exact products I have.
*Are you thinking about how to set up your dartboard and still have unanswered questions? Ask away in the comments! And if you already have a dartboard at home, what does your setup look like? *
Header image: Kim Muntinga
My interests are varied, I just like to enjoy life. Always on the lookout for news about darts, gaming, films and series.
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