Target Darts Player Ranges Compared: Van Gerwen, Whitlock, Anderson and Aspinall

Buying player darts because a professional throws them is a reasonable starting point, and Target's player ranges are the clearest example of why it can also go wrong. Each of these sets is built around one player's grip, weight preference and release — which means it suits some throwers and fights others.

What a player range actually changes

Under the signature, a player range is a barrel shape plus a weight and a grip pattern that the player in question uses. Van Gerwen's sets and Whitlock's sets are not the same dart with a different name on it; the differences show up in where the weight sits and where the grip stops and starts. That matters more than the colour of the coating.

The four ranges, in broad terms

Michael van Gerwen darts. The Michael van Gerwen range is built around a compact barrel with a pronounced grip zone in the middle and a rear taper — a shape that suits a shorter, punchier throw where the dart is held near its centre. If you grip at the back of the barrel, these are not the easiest sets to start with.

Simon Whitlock darts. The Simon Whitlock range has a longer, thinner profile with a lighter, more even feel, which suits a straighter release and players who hold the dart toward the front. The length gives more to grip, which helps if your fingers are long or your grip wanders.

Gary Anderson darts. The Gary Anderson range is a mid-weight, all-round barrel with a long, consistent grip band — arguably the most forgiving of the four for a player coming off a generic dart set. If you are unsure which range suits you, this is the one most players adapt to quickly.

Nathan Aspinall darts. The Nathan Aspinall range has a slightly chunkier profile with a defined scallop or grip feature and a weight toward the heavier end, aimed at a throw with a bit more pace. It rewards a consistent release and punishes a lazy one less than the thin profiles do.

How to pick one without guessing

Match the weight you already throw. If your current set is 22g, buying a 24g player dart because of the name is the most common mistake. Weight changes your release point more than any barrel shape does.

Match the grip position. Where your fingers sit on the barrel decides which of these four is plausible. Front grippers do well with Whitlock's profile, centre grippers with Van Gerwen's, and rear grippers are usually better served by something with grip all the way back.

Ignore the finish. Black, gold, natural tungsten — the coating changes the look, not the flight. Pay for the shape and the weight.

Give it more than one session. A player range takes a fortnight to judge honestly. One bad night on a new barrel means nothing.

Where these sit in our range

We stock Target player sets alongside the wider Target collection, including the Japanese-made ranges that sit at the pointier, more specialist end of the scale. If your points need refreshing at the same time, our dart points covers the Swiss Point system these barrels take.

A quick way to choose

• Rear gripper, happy with your current weight: buy the same weight in the range that matches your hero, not a heavier one.

• Front gripper: Whitlock's longer profile is the natural first look.

• New to player darts, no strong preference: Anderson's all-round shape is the safest entry.

• Want a heavier, punchier feel: Aspinall's profile, if your release is already repeatable.

Not sure which one matches your grip? Send us a photo of how you hold the dart and the weight you throw now, and we will narrow it down.