Whether you’re new to the world of darts or a seasoned pro, you’ve probably wondered how to grip a dart properly. Everything starts with the connection between your hand and the barrel, and while it’s the most intimate part of the game, it’s also the most misunderstood.
As a leading online darts shop, our team knows a thing or two about how to grip a dart. In this guide, we’ll help you determine how many fingers you need on your straight barrel darts and how you can find a signature hold that’ll balance control with a clean throw.
Ready to upgrade your grip? Let’s get into it…
How to find the best dart grip for you
Before we begin, we should stress that there’s no proper way to grip a dart. One of the best things about darts is that each professional player has their own way of playing the game, including the way they grip the dart and throw it.
It’s the same way in which we learn how to hold a pen. If you compare with your mates, you’ll notice that you all hold it slightly differently. And, it all boils down to our hands. A hand has 27 bones and 34 muscles that can occur in different places based on use and strain. The difference in our hands, and in turn our grip, depends on our size, strength, flexibility, the work we do, injuries we’ve incurred, and skin moisture.
Therefore, any one of these things alone is enough to dictate how we grip a dart. This uniqueness only gets greater when these factors interact with one another. That’s what’ll give you your own unique grip!
To put it simply, your grip style is the manner in which, and with how many fingers, your hand holds the dart.
Darts grips used by professionals
Wondering how your favourite pro grips their darts? Here are some grip style examples, and who is best known for using them:
Manley grip - Pete Manley’s grip consists of 2 fingers only, the thumb and the index finger. It’s not a grip that’s seen often, and it’s where the dart rests on the length of the straight thumb. By default, it means you’re gripping the dart just behind the bulbous front heavy weight. Andy Fordham also uses a similar grip style.
Lowe grip - Where the thumb, index, and middle finger are on top of the barrel or point. Used by John Lowe, this is one of the most common grips and allows for the most variation. It’ll give you more range and motion, allowing for coiling the dart on the draw.
Beaton grip - Using 4 fingers, your index, middle, and ring fingers rest on top of the barrel, with your thumb underneath. Steve Beaton uses this grip, and his thumb is often farther back on the barrel, right near the shaft. It allows you to release easily, resulting in a smooth throw.
Bristow grip - This grip, used by Eric Bristow, consists of placing your index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers on top of the barrel. It’s completely unique and complex, with some darts players being able to replicate it fully while others might struggle. The coordination of your entire hand, not just your fingers, is paramount!
Why your barrel choice impacts your grip
We can sit and observe the way in which your favourite player grips a dart. However, you don’t necessarily need to buy the barrels that the pros use. The key is to look for players who grip their darts in a similar way that you do. What darts are they throwing with, and what works best for them? Pay close attention to whether their fingers touch the dart, and from there, you can figure out what type of barrel you require.
If you’re a front gripper
If you hold the dart near the point, like famous player Gerwyn Price, then you’ll want a barrel that helps keep the nose from dipping and provides traction where your fingers will sit. In particular, look out for barrels with aggressive milling or rings at the very front.
We recommend: A front-weighted barrel, like a bomb barrel or a torpedo barrel. They’ve got more mass at the nose, compensating for the forward grip and giving you a more stable flight path.
If you grip your dart in the middle
This is the most common darts grip style, used by legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Because your fingers are at the centre of gravity, you have more flexibility. A ringed grip that runs the full length of the barrel is ideal, ensuring that your fingers don’t slip on a smooth section of the dart.
We recommend: A standard straight barrel. Opting for a uniform, circular barrel will give you a consistent feel in the middle of your dart. A specialist torpedo barrel will also work well if you need a wider surface area for your thumb.
If you prefer to grip your dart at the rear
If your index finger and thumb sit closer to the stem, like Luke Littler, then you’ll probably need a barrel that doesn’t feel too front-heavy or will be at risk of slipping out of your hand during your pull-back.
We recommend: A tapered or straight barrel. A rear-tapered barrel narrows towards the shaft, helping to lock your fingers into place. Long, straight barrels are also a great choice.
The best grippiest darts
Once you’ve decided what your grip style is, this can better define what type of darts to look for. And, it can even affect the way in which you throw! We’ve got some dart throwing tips that’ll be sure to improve your game.
Darts barrels come in all shapes and sizes, lengths, weights, colours, nose types, and more. At Double Top Darts, we stock darts from all of your favourite brands, as well as dart shafts, dart flights, and dart barrels.
While the darts you choose are mostly down to personal preference, we stock some of the grippiest darts on the market. Interested? Our team explains them in more detail below.
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Get set, grip, & throw, with Double Top Darts
And there you have it. Our top tips when it comes to darts grips. Remember, the way that you grip your darts is completely personal to you. Your grip style should focus on what you do before your hand/arm moves, and can change the whole way in which you throw your dart.
At Double Top Darts, we’re darts specialists. With a genuine passion for the sport, this is what drives us to deliver the best possible products and service to all of our customers. Don’t forget to have a look at our darts on sale for exclusive offers and discounts.
Need more info or advice? Get in touch with our expert team. They’ll be more than happy to chat you through top tips and offer their wealth of darts knowledge.
