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The Best Darts For All Grip Types
Darts is a game of precision and players need the right equipment to excel. For players of all abilities, it is important to find the right dart for your grip type, as different darts will work best for certain styles.
In this article, we will take a look at the various dart grips and provide you with our recommendations for what darts to use. Using a dart that you feel comfortable with is crucial to your enjoyment of the game and will also help you to improve your skills. The darts we suggest is not a one dart fits all example, but is what we recommend works the best for each specific grip type.
Your Dart Grip Type
There is a plethora of grip types in darts and ultimately how to grip a dart comes down to your own personal preference. If you watch the professionals playing darts on television, you will see they all grip the dart in different ways. Some players prefer to hold the dart at the front, whilst others like to grip the dart in the middle or at the back of the barrel.
Below is a list of some of the most popular darts players grips. This blog will explain how each dart grip works along with a recommended dart for players who favour these grips to try out.
This article will guide you in:
Where do you hold the dart?
Darts for a Rear Grip
The rear grip involves holding the dart at the back of the barrel (near the stem). Players who use this particular technique find that it allows for a smoother release when throwing the dart and also gives them more power with their throw. The former Premier League star Kim Huybrechts is an example of a high-profile player who adopts the rear grip with his throw, with his thumb and index finger touching the back of the barrel.
Take a look at our ‘Top 10 Darts For Rear Grippers’ to see our best-selling darts for players who hold the dart at the back. The Mission Nightfall M4 Curved Darts are included in our best rear grip darts page and would work well for players holding the dart at the back of the barrel. This set of darts features an ultra fine ringed grip at the rear of the barrel, which is the perfect position for rear grippers.
Check out the graphic below for some suggestions on Mission darts to use based on where you hold the dart and also how much grip you like with your darts. For a guide: grip level 1 (not much grip) and grip level 5 (lots of grip).
Darts for a Middle Grip
The middle grip is achieved by holding the dart in the middle of the barrel. Some players will use this technique to help give them a good balance between control and power. It is a popular grip that can suit players of all levels, from beginners to the top professionals, such as Michael van Gerwen, and allows for a comfortable release.
Check out our ‘Top 10 Darts For Middle Grippers’ to browse our most popular darts for players who hold the dart in the middle. The Mission Kuro M4 Rear Taper Darts features on our best middle grip darts page and would complement players who hold the dart in the middle of the barrel. This dart is made of 95% tungsten and has a black titanium nitride PVD coating on the barrels to make it really stand out. It is also a dart that offers players lots of grip from the radial and fine shark cuts and contrasting re-machined milled parallel cuts across the length of the barrel.
Darts for a Front Grip
The front-loaded grip is achieved by holding the dart at the front end of the barrel (near the point) before releasing it towards the board. There is no one size fits all answer when it comes to choosing where to hold the dart, but for some players holding the dart closer to the tip will help them achieve better accuracy and precision. Gary Anderson, the two-time PDC world champion, uses a front-loaded grip as it provides him with more comfort and control when throwing.
‘The Flying Scotsman’ uses his signature Unicorn Gary Anderson Darts Phase 6’s in 23g which have been designed specifically for him. These darts complement Anderson’s own front grip style as they have a grip zone at the front of the barrel where he holds the dart. Anderson’s signature front grip darts are made of 90% tungsten and have two blue painted rings around the front of the barrel to mark his two World Championship titles.
Gary Anderson holds the dart at the front of the barrel
Different darts grip styles
Darts for a Pencil Grip
The pencil grip is a common grip style in darts and gets its name for being similar to how you might hold a pencil whilst writing. This is the Phil Taylor dart grip (pictured below)with the 16-time world champion using this style during his long and successful career.
A player will typically use three fingers (thumb, index and middle fingers) for the pencil grip, and the grip should be firm, but not too tight. This style can be beneficial for players to use as it offers plenty of balance and control when you are throwing. It is also a comfortable grip to adopt as it mirrors the same grip when you hold a pencil or a pen, which is a common action in day-to-day life.
A pencil grip will suit most darts on the market, but a dart like the Mission Josh Rock Steel Tip Black & Blue could work well as the straight barrel design allows you to grip the dart at the front, centre or rear with the same ring grip running down the full length of the barrel. These darts are also made of 95% tungsten so are incredibly durable and made from premium materials.
Phil Taylor used a pencil grip during his playing career which saw him win 16 World Championships
Darts for a Claw Grip
The claw grip will see a player create a claw-like shape with their index and middle fingers to grip the dart, whilst the thumb provides additional stability. This is the best dart grip for players who are looking for a secure and controlled grip. The index and middle fingers will give you a firm grip on the dart, which also helps reduce any unwanted movement when you release the dart.
A recommended dart for players who use the claw grip, and are also looking for some extra grip from their darts, are the Harrows Wolfram Infinity darts. These darts have a slim tapered barrel and an intense grip all over the barrel, so wherever you hold the dart you will have a precise and consistent release. The Wolfram Infinity is one of the most premium darts available with a 97% tungsten content, which makes them extremely durable.
Darts for a Reverse Grip
A reverse grip is one of the more unique styles in darts and is when a player will hold the dart with the back of their hand facing the dartboard. This is an unusual and less common grip for players as it steers away from the traditional techniques.
Players using reverse grip will adopt this style because it allows them to experiment more with the release angles of their darts. With the reverse grip there is an opportunity to improve your accuracy and redefine your game, which is why some players will try this type of grip out with their own game to see if it works for them.
A recommended dart for reverse grippers can also depend on what position you hold the dart, but the Designa Dark Thunder V2 Black Darts are a popular choice for many players. This set of 90% tungsten darts features a distinctive twin ringed grip all along the barrel, so you have the same level of grip wherever you hold the dart. The Dark Thunder V2 dart also comes with two sets of Designa flights, meaning you already have a spare set of flights ready to use when needed.
How many fingers do you use to hold the dart?
Darts for a 2-Finger Grip
The 2-finger grip is a more minimalist approach and involves gripping the dart with two fingers (thumb and index finger). Whilst the 4-finger and 3-finger grips are the most popular styles, the 2-finger grip is preferred by some players who like a light and relaxed hold of the dart.
Players who use a 2-finger grip with their darts find that less is more and, by only gripping the dart with two fingers, it reduces any variables that can alter how the dart travels through the air. This particular style can also allow for better finger placement on the dart, as with two fingers you can hold the dart in a more precise and deliberate position each time.
The Mission Archon Black & Bronze PVD Darts could work well for players who grip the dart with two fingers. These darts are made of 97.5% tungsten, which is the highest tungsten content dart made by Mission. The Archon dart has fine radial grooves with horizontal milled cuts at the rear of the barrel, so if you hold the dart with two fingers and at the back of the dart, these darts will give you an enhanced grip.
Darts for a 3-Finger Grip
A 3-finger grip in darts is achieved by holding the dart with three fingers (usually with the thumb, index and middle fingers). This is a popular choice for players of all abilities as it helps with a comfortable release when throwing the darts.
This type of grip provides players with plenty of stability when holding the dart and, for some players, is preferred over the 2-finger grip or 4-finger grip. Players who hold the dart with three fingers find this style gives them improved control and the grip mirrors a natural hand position, so your fingers will not have to move into unnatural positions to hold the dart.
Ryan Joyce is one of many PDC professionals who uses the 3-finger grip style in his game. The Mission Ryan Joyce Relentless Darts are the signature darts he uses in tournaments and are made with 95% tungsten. The barrels include radial grooves so players can comfortably hold the dart with three fingers and perform well at the oche.
PDC professional Ryan Joyce holds the dart with three fingers
Darts for a 4-Finger Grip
The 4-finger grip is fairly self-explanatory and sees the player using four fingers (thumb, index, middle and ring fingers) to hold the dart. This is a grip style used by many players across all levels, from professionals to beginners, as it offers extra control over the dart’s flight to the board.
A 4-finger grip will often be achieved with three fingers (thumb, index and middle fingers) on the barrel of the dart and the ring finger touching the point. Players who use this grip style find that it provides them with a secure and stable hold of the dart.
The Shot Rowby-John Rodriguez Araw Darts are a recommended choice of dart for players who use this type of grip. These are the signature darts of PDC professional Rowby-John Rodriguez, one of the players who use a 4-finger grip style on the tour. These darts feature a ring grip along the barrel, with shallow mill cuts in the centre, so players can get a firm grip with four fingers on the dart.
Rowby-John Rodriguez grips the dart with four fingers
Now you’ve found the perfect match
We hope this guide on the different type of darts grips will help you find the perfect style for your game. Finding the right grip can take some time so it is worth investing some time trying out the various styles to see what works best for you, but most importantly what feels the most comfortable.
Once you know your preferred grip style, investing in a set of darts that suits how you hold the dart can be a game changer. There are certain darts that will work better for specific grips, whilst some darts can work universally with any style. Having a dart that works in line with how you hold the dart can help you to level up your skills and reach the next level.
At Darts Corner, we have an expert team in customer services who can give you more advice if you are not sure on a set of darts from our wide range of steel tip darts available. Use the contact us page to speak to our team who can guide you and offer some help.
Pictures: PDC