Steel Tip vs Soft Tip Darts Explained for Beginners

The major difference between steel tip darts and soft tip darts is in the names. steel tip darts are darts with a metallic point and intended to be used with traditional bristle dartboards. Soft tip darts, in contrast, feature a hard plastic point and are designed for use with electronic or plastic dartboards.
Electronic dartboards feature pre-moulded holes that the plastic tips go into and register the score automatically. To hold the dart on a traditional bristle dartboard the steel tip has to penetrate the sisal fibres which is what the board is made of. So it’s important to choose the right type of dart for your board, as the wrong combination can cause bounce-outs or damage to your equipment.

Steel tip darts have been around since the modern sport began to take shape in the late 19th century. The early darts were made of wood, fitted with metal points and completed with feather flights. Over the years advances in materials and manufacturing have developed them into the precision engineered steel tip darts used by the professional players on the PDC circuit today.
The history of soft tip darts is much newer. The modern electronic soft tip dart game began in the 1970s in the United States, where arcade operator Rudy Allison is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of the game. He wanted to speed up the game and eliminate the need for manual scoring in bars and arcades, so he helped develop an electronic dartboard with pre moulded holes and automatic scoring. This innovation led to a rapid rise of soft tip darts which are hugely popular today around the world especially in Asia and North America.

Which kind of dart is more popular between steel tip and soft tip really depends on which part of the world you are in. Steel tip darts are the most popular choice here in UK. This is the format played in the PDC, local leagues, pubs and clubs, so it's the version of the game that most people know.
Soft tip darts are very popular in other parts of the world, especially in Asia where they are played in dedicated leagues, tournaments and venues using electronic dartboards. Japan and Taiwan have a big soft tip scene and the USA has a big following for the electronic version of the game as well. Both steel tip and soft tip are still growing around the world, but your location will often dictate what style of play you're most likely to see.

 Here are some of the major benefits of steel tip darts:

1. Steel tip darts can provide more control and consistency as they are usually heavier
2. A more stable flight path allows players to throw with more precision.
3. Better durability meaning they are less prone to damage during normal play.
4. Compatibility with traditional bristle dartboards, the most popular dartboard used in the sport
5. More dart options ranging from different weights, barrel styles and point systems.
6. For use in professional tournaments allows players to train on the same court equipment as the world's best.
   
   

If you are thinking of playing with soft tip darts here are some of the main advantages:

1. Safer to play with – Soft tip darts have plastic points instead of steel points which makes them a safer option at home. A dart which does not hit its target is far less likely to damage walls, furniture or other objects nearby.
2. Cheap replacement points – Soft tip darts have the added benefit that replacement points are relatively cheap and easy to find. If a point is damaged in play, it can normally be replaced quickly and cheaply.
3. Quieter game - Playing with soft tip darts on an electronic dartboard is much quieter than playing with traditional steel tip darts on a sisal board. This can make them a great option for players living with family, in apartments or in properties where noise might be an issue.
4. Great for casual and home play – Soft tip darts are a popular choice among players as they are beginner friendly and are commonly used with electronic dartboards which can keep score automatically so games are easier to manage.
5. Digital dartboards, most commonly used for soft tip darts, offer many advantages, especially that they keep score for you, which is great if your maths is not up to scratch!

The short answer is yes, you can use both steel tip darts and soft tip darts. Many players switch between steel tip darts and soft tip darts depending on where they are playing. But switching between the two formats may take a minute or two to get used to the change. Some soft tip setups can feel a little different to steel tip darts in terms of weight, balance and the overall feel.
Conversion points are a great option if you want to be able to play both formats. These allow you to convert many soft tip darts to steel tip darts but keep the same barrel to help maintain the same feel and throwing action. This means you can enjoy steel tip darts and soft tip darts without having to buy two completely different dart setups. Conversion points are one of the easiest ways to get into steel tip dart play for those players that enjoy both formats.
There’s also the fact that the throwing distance is different between the two formats. Steel tip darts are thrown from a distance of 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 metres), but soft tip darts are generally played from 8 feet (2.44 metres). The difference is only about 7 centimeters but many steel tip dart players can feel the adjustment when they change formats, especially in terms of timing, release point and overall consistency. If you play steel tip darts and soft tip darts regularly then practicing at both distances can make the transition much easier and help you to maintain your performance no matter which darts you are using.

Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and what kind of set-up you intend to play on, steel tip darts or soft tip darts. The most common option is a steel tip dart, used on the traditional bristle dartboards found in homes, pubs and professional tournaments. Soft tip darts provide a safer, often more beginner-friendly option. Both styles have their own advantages and the best way to find out which one is right for you is to try them out for yourself.
If you're still wondering if steel tip darts or soft tip darts are the right choice for you, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you. If you want to learn more about Double Top Darts and our passion for the game, click the button below to check out our About Us page.