Can a little more weight help?

[trekbowl300]

I am in year 2 of my dart playing and have joined the flight school to become the best I can be at this sport. While doing the first drill A1 it took me a little over 2 months to complete the drill all the way through. This was with practice for 2 hours just about every other day. I am making progress to the point that I can complete the drill at least once a week in 2 or 2 and ½ hours.

I use 20gm darts. This is why I am asking about dart weight. This is my 2nd set which has a longer straight barrel then my first and both are 20gms and the same style barrel which I like so no thought of changing that. Now that I have chosen the longer straight barrel, I am wondering about the weight. As I talk to the many people playing darts for a long time 10+ or 20 years they ask me why I picked 20gm darts to start with, and it was simple that was the house darts I picked up and used so I just matched them up for my first set without any other consideration. I also have team mates telling me a little heavier dart should help my accuracy.

As, I read through the many articles on this site I have seen the weight factor discussed many times. After searching and reading every thread and post I am a little more confused than before. Is it just a dart player’s tale that heavier darts help beginners or not? I have read that heavier darts are not affected as much by errors in the throw so don’t go far off the path thrown. However, I also read some of you do not think that is totally correct.

I am interested in buying one last set of darts for the next few years, so how much in weight is the best amount to try? I have looked at possible darts for the shape and barrel length that will work for me now, it is just the weight I have no idea/feeling about. The one main set I now use is 20 gms.

The possible new ones are 21, 22, and 23 grams. I don’t know if I should go any higher in weight simply because I read too much. Such as: the pros average according to a post was 22 gms., and the poll on this site with a high percentage of members was 23 gms. So, the safe bet is on either one but not sure how much even one gram will affect the dart path. Since I am still learning and doing the A1 drill my stroke is very slowly improving and could this be because I am using a dart which takes much more accuracy to throw correctly. Will a slightly heavier dart help me improve and become more consistent? I don’t know and would like your comments if you think I should or should not change and just stay with the same darts for another year to see what happens.

[Banned]

As much as the unknown of going heavier is, why not go lighter? What's the difference?

[Milkysunshine]

I think trying both is fair. I started with 24g. went to 21g, then 20g, then tried 26... I even sampled 28.5g and 18.5g and settled on 23g. Really need to play the field and see what works for you

[Ni518079]

I would say try as many as you can. Just cause one worked for you doesn't mean it may be the best. IF YOU CAN try a light one, a heavy one, a chunky one, a skinny one, a rear weight, a front loaded, etc. to see what best suites you. I personally find that right around 19 grams is perfect for me, but I also find that shape effects my throw more than weight. I like it to be pretty substantially front weighted.

For example it is easier for me to throw two different weight Priestleys than it is to switch between a set of phase 2 and a set of phase 5 even at the same weight.

But this is just me. Experimenting is part of the fun of darts for me. Just my $.02.

[Banned]

To add further confusion... while you're trying out different darts make sure to experiment with different length stems and different flights. It takes some searching to find out what combo's seem most comfortable.

[Marshall]

I too throw a 20/21g dart. Reason being I like the barrel to be thin (around 6mm) and around 50mm long.

But being a nut I like to experiment and try darts from very light to heavy. Pretty sure I can throw a Taylor dart and say a Pinz dart and the results will be around the same over time.

When I started out 3-4 years ago I threw heavier Torpedos now lighter thin straight barrell barneys.

What Im trying to say is for me its more about barrel shape, grip, points, flights and stems than actual weight of the dart.

Try out anything you can Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[jamie373]

Whatever makes you feel most comfortable and confident.

[SlingBlade]

I started with a 22G straight barrel and just wasn't making it fly right. I had only been throwing one year after a long lay off but just wondered what a heavier dart would do. i bumped up to 24G and it was perfect. but i agree that the design is as much a factor as the weight.
i really think it would be great to have a local shop to be able to test barrel design before making the purchase but living where i do don't have that option.

[Jugger]

Yes.... Yes it can

[Getagrip]

just try it and see Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[*Saber*]

MVG 25gm - Phil Taylor 25gm -Andy Hamilton 25gm -Gary Anderson 24gm just to name a few. Try some lighter ones but Personally heavier darts more forgiving then light ones.

[jamie373]

Same as woman , the heavier ones are more forgiving, thinner ones look better but don't let you off Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[*Saber*]

Same as woman , the heavier ones are more forgiving, thinner ones look better but don't let you off Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

ooooooooh so right my man lol Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

[Dorian]

I wrote this post a while back which may help.....What I've learned about selecting darts.

(Sorry I'm not sure how to Hyperlink it)

This is my tale....

I used to throw 18-20Gm darts at one stage and I believe the lighter the dart the better your technique has to be. Meaning that it has to be finer, smoother more relaxed and controlled. However the dart has to be well balanced and 'feel' comfortable to hold too.
As I got older and took up darts again after a very long break I started again with 19's but I soon found that it was more important for my improvement, to get the barrel length and grip right rather than the weight alone. I also preferred to see the dart hit at 90 deg and so I experimented with stem lengths, materials and flight shapes etc.
Throughout this evolution I went heavier and now settled on the 25/26Gm range as I feel that heavier darts tended to fly truer (with my style) as they were more forgiving and the arc of flight was much flatter.

When I was using lighter darts my style required me to lob them which was fine but nowadays I have to say that my style is not as technically good as when I threw much lighter ones. Its fair to say that as I have aged heavier darts have made up for a weaker technique. Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Now, my friend, having given you some detail into my evolution (rather than say yes or no) I have to advise IMHO the weight is not as important as the overall balance in your hand and how tactile the overall shape and grip the barrel provides.

Experiment to end up with a dart where the barrel/shaft/flight becomes the easiest to get some accuracy with simple eh?.... but 'simple doesn't mean easy.' Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.

Just have some fun along the way Guests cannot see images in the messages. Please register at the forum by clicking here to see images.


Cheers

[trekbowl300]

Thanks for the information everyone and the recommendations to a relative beginner just starting my second year on a league.

Dorian a few points I noticed in your helpful reply. Lighter darts require a better technique so since I am still just learning what my stroke is like, having a better technique (natural ability) is not something I have at the present time. I already am older and have tried a few different barrels from friends but have settled on one that just feels right, and after trying what seems like millions of combinations I found the shafts and flights that give me the most confidence and like you I generally hit the board at around the 90 degree mark with the dart even the double 20 considering I am only 5' 6" throwing uphill.

I do get nervous during league play so the relaxed and controlled stroke comes and goes according to the pressure of the moment. My style is not a lob type more of a straight hard stroke. So with almost all of the things above a heavier dart seems to make sense.

That is since I already have decided on a barrel type and length, the shafts and flights that work now, your last point. As for grip I have found a feel I like but finding a design that has the right grip in the right place is another story. However, I did get use to the 2 different grips on the sets of darts I have now so that is somewhat adjustable. Balance and grip have to work together for me maybe that is why I like the longer barrel with extra short shafts, it just feels balanced for my way of holding the dart. So this part of experimenting seems to be over for now at least leaving just the weight in question.

Again thanks to everyone for your recommendations.