23/11/2016: Learning your craft - stick to one dart (at first)

Hi Guys

I get alot of questions on changing darts as everyone is always looking for the 'one' that will instantly take them from a 60 ave player to MVG'esque standards.

The truth is it is important to develop the basics and learn ONE(1) instrument, ie the dart.

Sample the different styles  and once you find one that feels comfortable stick with it and practice with it. Its like learning a craft with a tool. If you keep swapping your constantly resetting.

Now i know its easy and boy have i changed darts (i've blogged about it previously) however it really does affect your progress.

Now i know there are always some exceptions like Peter Wright however if you look his best form (which for me is the last few months) has been with the same darts.

That's not to say you cant tweak in the future however once you've settled on one style (straight, bomb, tampered etc), stick with it.

Its no surprise that the best players have had the most success with one style and even the same dart:

MVG: has always used a straight barrel and still uses the same McKick's premium whites from 2007 and hes the best player in the world and feels so comfortable with his darts,

Phil Taylor: Used straight barrels for 20 years

Eric Bristow: dominated the 80's with the same style of dart

John Lowe: won everything with the same style of dart

Adrian Lewis: Still goes back to his old Unicorns

Leighton Rees: the first world champion. He sued the same set.

Tony O'Shea: uses the same set of 30 year old Bristows

Andy Fordham: Started with and still sues an old set of Lowe's

Now that's but a few and a helluva lineup.

If you do abit of research you'll find that more often than not players form dips when they change from what was working.

My advice, find a set that works and truly learn and develop with it.

You'll be better for it and save money to

Take care

Luke