Short answer: For beginners, darts weighing between 20 and 24 grams in brass or nickel/steel are the most sensible choice. A complete starter set like the 2 Sets KOTO Black Brass Darts + 90 Pieces Accessories contains everything needed to get started straight away: barrels, shafts, flights and spare parts. Tungsten darts are not yet necessary for beginners, but are directly available for those who want to start with serious equipment from day one.
Anyone buying darts for the first time faces an overwhelming range of options. Different materials, weights, lengths and brands make the choice complicated. At the same time, a beginner does not need to understand everything: a few basic principles are enough to get off to a good start.
This article explains the options for each component, which choices make sense for beginners, and which products suit someone who is just starting out.
A dart consists of four parts: tip, barrel, shaft and flight. Each part affects how the dart behaves, but beginners do not need to go into detail about every component. Anyone starting with a complete set has everything they need.
Tip: The tip sits firmly in the barrel and is replaceable. With steel tip darts the tips are made of steel; with soft tip darts they are made of plastic. As a beginner there is nothing to do here, unless a tip breaks. Replacement tips are inexpensive and widely available.
For beginners, darts weighing between 20 and 24 grams are the most commonly used choice. This weight range provides enough stability in flight without the dart feeling too heavy for a relaxed throw.
Under 18 grams requires more strength and precision to throw stably. Over 26 grams gives more control with a powerful throw but demands a different technique. Most professional PDC players throw between 21 and 26 grams. As a beginner, 22 grams is a good starting point. The weight is always shown on the product page.
Barrels are made from brass, nickel/steel, or tungsten. For beginners, brass and nickel/steel are the most suitable and affordable choice.
Brass: Inexpensive, thick and heavy for their length. Brass barrels are the classic entry-level choice for beginners. The thickness makes grouping slightly harder later on, but for someone learning the game this is not a problem.
Nickel/steel: Slightly thinner than brass, similar price range. A good middle ground for beginners who want a little more control.
Tungsten: Tungsten is a heavy, dense metal that allows barrels to be made thinner at the same weight. Thinner barrels make it easier to group darts closely together. This is the material used by professional players. The advantage of tungsten is not yet relevant for beginners who are not consistently hitting the triple segment, but if you want to start with quality equipment straight away, tungsten is certainly a worthwhile choice.
The shaft connects the barrel and the flight. For beginners, a nylon shaft is the most sensible choice: inexpensive, resilient when darts clash and easy to replace. Aluminium and carbon shafts are more durable but also more expensive, and for beginners it makes more sense to first determine which length feels right.
The length of the shaft affects the angle at which the dart enters the board. If your dart hangs pointing downward: try a shorter shaft. If it stands too upright: go longer. The most commonly used lengths are medium and short. Medium is a safe starting point.
The flight provides aerodynamic stability. Flights are made of nylon and are measured in microns (thickness). The thicker the flight, the more robust and durable, but also slightly heavier.
For beginners, 100 micron is a good choice: sturdy enough not to tear quickly, light enough to fly normally. In terms of shape, the Standard flight is the most widely used: greater drag, more stable flight, ideal for a relaxed throw. Slimmer flights are faster but require a more precise technique. Flights wear out and tear, especially at first. Always buy spares.
The following three sets are suitable choices for beginners, from accessible brass sets to tungsten for those who want to start seriously straight away.
2 Sets KOTO Black Brass Darts + 90 Pieces Accessories: The most complete starter option for absolute beginners. This set contains not only two sets of brass darts but also 90 pieces of accessories, including shafts, flights, replacement tips and other essentials. This gives you everything to get started immediately and keep going with spare parts for a long time. |
GOAT Athlete Black Brass: An accessible brass dart for the beginner who wants to consciously choose a brand. Compact and light, available in several weight options. A good choice for those who want to start with an affordable set and later upgrade to a heavier or slimmer barrel. |
Winmau Skybolt Straight 90% Dartshopper Exclusives: A tungsten dart, exclusively available at Dartshopper. With 90% tungsten this barrel has a slim diameter that makes grouping easier. Winmau is one of the most respected dart brands in the world and supplies professional PDC players. A strong choice for beginners who want to start with serious equipment straight away and not have to invest again when their level improves. |
Steel tip darts are the standard for sisal dartboards, the classic bristle board. Soft tip darts are designed for electronic dartboards with plastic segments. Most home dartboards are sisal boards, so steel tip darts are the right choice for most beginners. If you have an electronic board, always check the type before buying darts.
Yes. Brass darts are thick and affordable, and more than sufficient for someone learning the game. The disadvantage of brass is the wider diameter, which makes grouping harder later on. Once you consistently hit triple segments, switching to tungsten is worthwhile. Until then, brass is a fine choice.
Tungsten is qualitatively better than brass and nickel/steel, but the advantage, namely the thinner barrel for better grouping, only becomes relevant for beginners when you are consistently hitting the same segment. If you want to start with quality equipment straight away and not invest twice, an affordable 90% tungsten set like the KOTO Sting Black 90% or the Winmau Skybolt Straight 90% Dartshopper Exclusives is a sensible choice.
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