Is 30 too old to start darts?

Absolutely not. Unlike other, more physical sports, darts relies on fine motor skills and focus, which can be developed at any age. Many professionals peak in their 30s, 40s, or even 50s.

What makes people good at darts?

Consistent throwing (muscle memory), mental resilience under pressure, and strategy checkouts. It is less about natural talent and more about repetitive, quality practice.

Does darts improve your maths?

Yes, specifically mental arithmetic. Players must constantly subtract scores from 501 and calculate checkout routes (doubles and trebles) in seconds, which significantly sharpens quick-thinking math skills.

How do I find my dominant dart eye?

Extend your arm and point at the bullseye. Close one eye, then the other. The eye that keeps your finger aligned with the target when the other is closed is your dominant eye. Aligning your throw with this eye improves accuracy.

How long does it take to get good at darts?

We have all watched the pros on TV hitting 180s for fun and thought, "I could do that." Then you step up to the oche, and your first dart lands in the wall, the second in the 1, and the third bounces off the wire. The gap between a beginner and a master can feel huge, but it is a gap you can bridge with time.

How good is the average person at darts?

Before we define how long it takes to get good, we need to define what "good" looks like. In darts, skill is often measured by your 3-dart average (the average score achieved with three darts).

Most beginners are surprised to find that the average person who doesn't play regularly will struggle to average above 30.

Here is a breakdown of skill levels to help you benchmark your progress:

Skill Level	3-Dart Average	Estimated Time to Reach
Beginner	30 - 40	0 - 2 Months
Pub / League Player	40 - 65	6 - 18 Months
Super League / County	65 - 80	2 - 5 Years
Professional (PDC)	80 - 100+	5 - 10+ Years

Is darts easy to get good at?

The concept of darts is simple, however, mastering it is incredibly difficult because it requires a high level of fine motor skill and repetition.

Is darts a skill or luck?

While a beginner might hit a lucky triple 20, doing it consistently is 100% skill. Darts is a game of minimizing variables. You are trying to replicate the exact same arm movement, release point, and stance thousands of times in a row.

There is no secret to throwing well, but there are fundamentals that make the learning curve easier:

Stance: A solid base prevents swaying.
Grip: A relaxed grip allows for a smooth release.
Follow-through: Pointing your hand at the target after the dart leaves your fingers.

How to get good at darts fast?

If you want to speed up your progress, you need to stop just throwing and start training. Mindless throwing often creates bad habits.

Quality over quantity

You don't need to quit your job to train like a pro. Even 30 to 60 minutes a day of focused practice is better than 4 hours of messing around.

Try this routine:

Warm-up: Throw at the bullseye to get your arm loose.
Grouping: Throw all three darts at the 20. Don't worry about hitting the treble yet; just try to get all three darts touching each other.
Doubles Practice: You can't win a game of 501 without hitting a double. Spend at least 30% of your time on the outer ring.
Scoring: Use a scoring app to track your average.

Use technology to track progress

You can't improve what you don't measure. Tracking your stats helps you see if your average is actually going up or if you are plateauing. It also helps you learn your checkout routes (the math) faster, which is quite important in competitive play.

Pro Tip: Don't just practice what you are good at. If you hate double 16, practice it until it becomes your favorite target.

How many hours a day do darts players train?

Professional players treat darts as a full-time job. It is not uncommon for top PDC players to train for 4 to 6 hours a day.

However, for the aspiring amateur, this is overkill and can lead to "dartitis" (a psychological condition where you struggle to release the dart) or repetitive strain injuries.

Recommended Training Volume:

Beginner: 30 minutes / 4-5 days a week.
Intermediate: 1 hour / 5-6 days a week.
Advanced: 2-3 hours / daily.

Am I too old to become a darts player?

Probably not, and here's why:

Rob Cross in 2016 was just an electrician who played darts at the pub, 1 year later, he defeated Phil Taylor, the greatest of all time in the PDC World Championship final.

Cross's story is the perfect example that there isn't such a thing as becoming a pro too late, unlike in other sports.

Conclusion

Getting good at darts is a marathon, not a sprint. You can become a decent pub player within a year, but mastering the game takes years of dedication. The secret lies in consistent, deliberate practice and keeping your mental game strong. Don't get discouraged by bad days; even the world champions have them. Grab your darts, focus on your technique, and watch those averages climb.

Next Steps

Ready to improve your game? Stop guessing your progress. Start a disciplined practice routine today, focus on your grouping, and explore our other guide on darts training to get even more tips to setup your perfect training routine.