7 Beginner Dart Buying Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing darts only by brand or player name

It is tempting to copy your favourite pro or grab whatever your friends are using. The problem: their throw is not your throw.

Instead of asking "Which brand is best?", start with:

• Where you hold the dart (front, middle, rear)
• How fast you throw
• Whether you prefer a light or firm grip

From there, you can match weight, barrel shape and grip to your own mechanics.

2. Going too light or too heavy too quickly

New players often jump straight to extremes – ultra-light darts for a flat arc, or very heavy darts for "stability". Both make it hard to feel what is actually working.

A better starting point:

• Most beginners do well in the 21–24g range
• If you throw fast and hard, stay towards the lighter end
• If your throw is slower and smoother, try slightly heavier

Once you have built some consistency, you can experiment a gram or two either way.

3. Ignoring barrel shape and grip position

Your fingers should land on a part of the barrel that feels natural without thinking about it. If you are a front gripper using a rear-weighted pear shape, you will constantly be fighting the shape.

Rough guidelines:

• Front grip → torpedo or front-weighted barrels
• Middle grip → straight barrels
• Rear grip → scalloped or pear-shaped barrels

If you are not sure which you are, throw a few darts and pay attention to where your thumb naturally wants to sit.

4. Overdoing the grip texture

Aggressive knurling looks cool and feels "secure" in the shop, but it can encourage you to squeeze too hard and lock up your hand.

Try this instead:

• If your hands stay dry and you hold lightly, start with smooth or micro-grip
• If your hands get sweaty or you need more purchase, try medium to aggressive grip only in the area you hold

You want to feel in control while still being able to release the dart cleanly.

5. Ignoring return policies and testing

Many beginners buy one set and try to force it to work, even when it clearly does not suit them.

Where possible:

• Buy from shops with a good return or exchange policy
• Test new darts over several short sessions rather than just a few throws
• Keep simple notes on grouping, comfort and how the dart lands in the board

A little structure here saves a lot of money in the long run.

6. Forgetting about shafts and flights

Barrels get all the attention, but shafts and flights change how the dart flies:

• Longer shafts and bigger flights slow the dart and can increase stability
• Shorter shafts and smaller flights can speed things up and flatten the arc

Start with a standard setup (medium shaft, standard flight) and only tweak once you are happy with the barrel.

7. Not using tools that do the hard work for you

You do not have to guess alone. Tools like Darts Match exist to make this easier.

The Darts Match quiz asks about your:

• Experience level
• Grip position and grip pressure
• Throw speed and common miss pattern
• Budget and brand preferences

Then it scores every dart in our database and shows you a shortlist of darts that fit your answers.

You can try it here – no account or email required.

What to read next

If you are about to buy your first set, these guides on Darts Match will help you make sense of the options:

• How to Choose the Right Darts for Your Throw Style
• Best Darts for Beginners — Mapped to Throw Style
• Dart Weight & Grip — Practical Guide
• Best Darts Under £30

After reading those and taking the quiz on the home page, you will have a short, sensible list of darts that actually suit the way you throw.