How To Find Your Dart Grip (And Stop Changing It)

You've changed your grip six times in the last month.

Each time you think "this is the one," throw well for a day or two, then start missing and switch again.

The problem isn't finding the perfect grip. The problem is you keep looking for one.

Here's how to actually settle on a grip and stick with it.

The Grip Paradox

Everyone tells you: "Find a grip that feels natural"

The reality: No grip feels natural at first. You have zero reps with any specific grip. Your brain has no baseline for what "natural" means yet.

What actually happens:

1. Try new grip
2. Feels weird (because it's new)
3. Throw 20 darts
4. Still feels weird (only 20 reps)
5. "This must not be the right grip"
6. Try different grip
7. Repeat forever

The fix: Pick one. Stick with it for 1000 throws minimum. Then it will feel natural.

The Three Fundamental Grip Types

Every dart grip is a variation of these three basic approaches:

1. Pencil Grip (2-3 Fingers)

What it is:

• Thumb and index finger on barrel (primary control)
• Middle finger supports underneath or on side
• Ring/pinky fingers not touching dart (curled into palm)

What it looks like: How you hold a pencil to write

Pros:

• Clean release (fewer fingers = less interference)
• Easy to keep consistent
• Works well for front-weighted darts
• Less grip pressure needed

Cons:

• Less control during backswing
• Dart can feel "loose" for some players
• Requires very consistent finger placement

Who uses it: Many professional players, especially those with smooth, controlled throws

Best for: Players who want simple, repeatable release

2. Standard Grip (3-4 Fingers)

What it is:

• Thumb underneath barrel
• Index, middle, and ring fingers on top/side of barrel
• Pinky curled (not touching) or lightly touching

What it looks like: How you'd hold a TV remote

Pros:

• Most control during setup and backswing
• Feels secure
• Good balance of control and release
• Works with most barrel types

Cons:

• More fingers = more potential for inconsistency
• Can create tension if gripped too tightly
• Harder to get clean release

Who uses it: Majority of players at all levels

Best for: Most players, especially beginners to intermediate

3. Full Grip (4-5 Fingers)

What it is:

• All fingers touching the dart
• Thumb underneath
• Index, middle, ring, and pinky all making contact

What it looks like: Holding a small stick/pen with full hand

Pros:

• Maximum control
• Very secure feeling
• Can handle heavier darts easily
• Natural for some players

Cons:

• Complex release (all fingers must open at same time)
• Easy to develop inconsistencies
• Can create lots of tension
• Harder to get smooth throw

Who uses it: Some players who prioritize control over smoothness

Best for: Players who naturally grip things with all fingers and can maintain consistency

Where To Grip The Barrel

Front grip (near point):

• Dart exits hand earlier in throw
• More control over dart angle
• Requires more wrist/finger control
• Common with lighter, front-weighted darts

Middle grip (center of barrel):

• Balanced feel
• Natural pivot point
• Works with most barrel designs
• Most common grip position

Back grip (near flight):

• Dart stays in hand longer
• Less control over dart angle
• More arm throw, less finger/wrist
• Common with rear-weighted or long barrels

How to test:

1. Hold dart at natural balance point (where it balances on one finger)
2. Grip there with your standard grip
3. Throw 20 darts
4. If it feels unstable, adjust grip position slightly forward or back
5. Throw another 20

Don't overthink it. Most players naturally grip near the center of gravity. If your darts have a specific grip zone (knurled section, grooves), that's probably where you should grip.

Finger Placement

Thumb Position

Two options:

1. Thumb underneath barrel (most common)

• Provides support platform
• Thumb pad or side touches barrel
• Creates triangle with thumb and fingers

2. Thumb on side of barrel

• Less common
• Can work for pencil grip
• Creates more of a pinch

Test: Thumb underneath is almost always better. Provides stable base.

Index Finger

Critical: This is your primary aiming finger. Where you place it matters most.

Options:

1. Pad of fingertip on barrel

• Most common
• Good feel and control
• Natural release point

2. Side of fingertip on barrel

• Some players prefer this
• Can reduce grip pressure
• Requires consistent finger angle

3. First knuckle area on barrel

• Less common
• More contact area
• Can feel more secure

Key: Whatever you choose, the index finger must be in the exact same spot every throw.

Middle Finger

Two main positions:

1. Alongside barrel (side support)

• Creates wider base
• Good for stability
• Common with standard grip

2. Underneath barrel (bottom support)

• Works with thumb to create platform
• Good for pencil grip
• Slightly different release feel

Ring and Pinky Fingers

Most players: These don't touch the dart (curled into palm)

Some players: Ring finger lightly touches dart for extra support

Very few players: Both ring and pinky touch dart (full grip)

Default recommendation: Keep them curled in. Less interference with release.

Grip Pressure: The Hidden Variable

Most common mistake: Gripping too tightly

Why players do it: Feels more secure, more controlled

Why it's wrong: Tension travels up your arm, makes release inconsistent

The test:

Hold dart with normal grip. Scale of 1-10, how much pressure are you using?

• 1-2 = Too loose (dart will fall out)
• 3-4 = Ideal (secure but relaxed)
• 5-6 = Slightly too tight (workable but creates some tension)
• 7-10 = Way too tight (will cause major inconsistency)

Target: 3-4. Just enough to keep dart from slipping, no more.

How to practice:

1. Hold dart with maximum pressure (10/10)
2. Slowly release pressure while keeping dart secure
3. Find minimum pressure where dart doesn't slip
4. That's your target pressure
5. Practice maintaining that exact pressure for 100 throws

The Release Problem

Your grip determines your release.

Clean release: All fingers open at the same time, dart leaves smoothly

Messy release: Fingers open at different times, dart rotates/wobbles

Which grip has cleanest release?

1. Pencil grip (2-3 fingers) = Easiest clean release
2. Standard grip (3-4 fingers) = Moderate difficulty
3. Full grip (4-5 fingers) = Hardest to keep clean

This is why pros often use pencil grip. Not because it's "better," but because it's easier to execute consistently.

If your darts are rotating in flight: Too many fingers, or fingers releasing at different times.

Test: Film yourself in slow motion. Watch your fingers during release. Do they all open together? Or does one finger (usually pinky or ring) hold on slightly longer?

How To Actually Choose Your Grip

Stop endlessly testing. Use this protocol:

Week 1: The Baseline

Pick one grip:

• If unsure, start with standard grip (thumb underneath, index/middle/ring on top)
• Grip at the barrel's center of gravity
• 3-4/10 pressure

Throw 500 darts minimum with this exact grip.

• Track your grouping quality
• Note any discomfort or tension
• Don't change anything yet

Goal: Establish baseline. You can't evaluate a grip with 20 throws. You need hundreds.

Week 2: The Micro-Adjustment

Now you can make one small change:

If darts rotate in flight:

• Try pencil grip (remove ring finger from dart)

If dart feels loose/insecure:

• Add ring finger to barrel or increase pressure slightly to 4-5/10

If grip feels tense:

• Reduce pressure to 2-3/10

If release feels stuck:

• Move grip position slightly back on barrel

Make ONE change. Throw another 500 darts.

Week 3: Lock It In

By now you have:

• 1000+ throws with similar grip
• Data on what works and what doesn't
• Muscle memory starting to form

Decision time:

If grouping is consistent and nothing hurts: Keep this grip. You're done. Stop changing it.

If one specific thing is still wrong: Make one more micro-adjustment. Final 500 throws.

After 1500 total throws: Whatever grip you have now is your grip. Lock it in. Stop experimenting.

Common Grip Problems

Problem 1: Dart Slips During Backswing

Cause: Grip pressure too low or grip position too far forward

Fix:

• Increase pressure to 4/10
• Or move grip slightly back on barrel
• Or add one more finger for support

Problem 2: Dart Rotates In Flight

Cause: Fingers releasing at different times

Fix:

• Remove one finger (usually ring finger)
• Focus on opening all fingers simultaneously
• Reduce grip pressure (tension causes uneven release)

Problem 3: Dart Sticks To Fingers During Release

Cause: Grip pressure too high, sweaty/sticky fingers

Fix:

• Reduce pressure to 3/10
• Wipe fingers between throws
• Consider chalk/rosin for grip
• Check barrel texture (too much grip can cause this)

Problem 4: Can't Find Consistent Finger Placement

Cause: Barrel has no tactile reference points

Fix:

• Use barrel grooves/knurling as reference
• Or buy darts with defined grip zones
• Or mark your current grip position and feel for it

Problem 5: Grip Feels Different Every Throw

Cause: You haven't practiced it enough yet (probably under 500 throws)

Fix:

• Stop changing grip
• Commit to current grip for 1000 throws minimum
• Film yourself to verify grip looks the same

The One-Week Grip Commitment Test

Here's how you know if you've found your grip:

Day 1: Feels weird/new (10-20% good throws)

Day 2: Still weird but slightly less (20-30% good throws)

Day 3: Starting to feel familiar (30-40% good throws)

Day 4: Feels "okay" (40-50% good throws)

Day 5: Feels natural (50-60% good throws)

Day 6: Not thinking about it anymore (60-70% good throws)

Day 7: It's just your grip now (70%+ good throws)

If you change grip before Day 7, you reset to Day 1.

This is why grip-hoppers never improve. They're always on Day 1-2.

Advanced: Barrel Texture And Grip

Your barrel texture should match your grip type:

Smooth Barrel

Best for: Pencil grip (2-3 fingers)

Why: Less contact area = less need for texture

Pressure needed: 3-4/10

Light Knurling/Grooves

Best for: Standard grip (3-4 fingers)

Why: Provides reference points without being aggressive

Pressure needed: 3/10

Heavy Knurling/Aggressive Grip

Best for: Full grip (4-5 fingers) or high-pressure grippers

Why: Lots of texture for lots of fingers

Pressure needed: 2-3/10 (texture does the work)

Common mistake: Heavy knurling with pencil grip = dart sticks to fingers during release

When To Actually Change Your Grip

Valid reasons to change:

1. Physical pain/injury - If your current grip hurts, change it
2. Severe inconsistency after 1000+ throws - If grouping hasn't improved at all
3. Changed barrel type significantly - New barrel weight/balance might need different grip

Invalid reasons to change:

1. "I had a bad session" - Variance, not grip
2. "I saw a pro use different grip" - What works for them won't necessarily work for you
3. "This grip feels weird" - Of course it does, you have 47 reps with it
4. "I missed an important double" - Results-oriented thinking, not grip problem

Rule: If you're changing grip more than once per month, you're changing too often.

The Bottom Line

There is no "perfect grip."

There's only:

• A grip you commit to
• Enough reps to make it consistent
• Minor adjustments over time

Grip selection process:

1. Choose a starting point (standard grip for most people)
2. Throw 500 darts minimum with exact same grip
3. Make one micro-adjustment if needed (pressure, position, finger count)
4. Throw another 500 darts
5. Lock it in - this is your grip now
6. Stop changing it

The grip-hoppers never improve because they never give any grip enough reps to become automatic.

The best players didn't find the perfect grip. They picked one, threw 10,000+ darts with it, and made it perfect through repetition.

Pick your grip. Commit to it for 1500 throws. Stop searching.

Your grouping will improve more from consistency than from finding some mythical "better grip."

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Related Guides

Choosing equipment that matches your grip:

• How To Choose Darts That Actually Fit You - Barrel length, grip texture, weight selection based on grip style

Building consistent execution:

• How To Actually Break Bad Dart Habits - Route-arounds if you need to change grip after bad habits form
• The Four Stages of Learning Darts - 1500 throws moves you from Stage 2 to Stage 3

Mental game:

• Process Over Results - Stop changing grip based on one bad session