Darts Prodigy Beau Greaves Nearly Quit: "Ready to Chuck My Arrows in the River"

By Lewis Barnett 15 April, 2025 5 mins read 42 Views

God. There's nothing quite like watching someone at the absolute top of their game struggle with the invisible demons that plague athletes. I've been following Beau Greaves since she first exploded onto the darts scene, and her recent confession about battling dartitis hit me right in the chest.

Audio Summary of the Article

What the hell is dartitis anyway?

For those who don't waste their weekends watching darts tournaments like I do (no judgment... okay, maybe a little), dartitis is basically the yips but for dart players. It's this horrific psychological condition where suddenly you can't release the dart properly. Imagine your brain and hand having a full-blown argument while you're trying to throw. Your body literally betrays you.

I watched it happen to Eric Bristow back in the day. Devastating.

The Doncaster Wonder Kid

Greaves, just 21 years old and absolutely dominating the PDC Women's Series, admitted she was ready to throw her darts "in the river" after struggling with consistency issues that have been plaguing her for months.

Despite feeling like garbage, she somehow managed to win her 34th title last weekend in Rosmalen. Her 34th. At twenty-one. When I was 21, I considered it a victory if I remembered to pay my phone bill on time.

"Everything felt so hard and tiring," she confessed after beating Ireland's Robyn Byrne. "Nothing was going in but I'm obviously over the moon to come out with teh title."

The invisible battle nobody sees

What makes this story stick with me is that Greaves is literally at the pinnacle of women's darts right now. Back in March, she gave men's world #1 Luke Humphries a serious run for his money at the UK Open. The guy looked genuinely rattled.

And yet.

Behind that composed exterior, she's been fighting a war with her own mind and body. "I was really suffering," she admitted. "It's not how I want to win them. I have been so inconsistent."

I texted my buddy who's a semi-pro dart player about this. His response: "Dartitis is my worst nightmare. Would rather break my throwing arm."

When your greatest strength becomes your weakness

The cruelest part about dartitis is that it often strikes players at their peak. Greaves' recent performances have been wildly unpredictable – "I averaged 90 and then 70 later in the day," she explained, which for non-darts people is like a race car sometimes going 200mph and sometimes barely hitting 120.

She even skipped a ProTour event recently because of anxiety. "I felt like I wasn't ready to play and felt a lot of anxiety. I was dreading it."

Listen. I've interviewed dozens of athletes over my 12 years covering sports, and that level of raw honesty is rare. Most would rather pretend everything's fine while their world crumbles around them.

Seeking help (and sometimes finding it)

Greaves mentioned she's sought medical help for her condition. "I have been to the doctors about it before and it has helped but it also hasn't," she said, with that perfect contradiction that anyone who's ever dealt with mental health issues will instantly recognize.

I remember interviewing a golfer in 2018 who spent $4K on various therapies for the yips. Some worked for a while. Nothing stuck. He eventually switched to a completely different putting grip – basically had to relearn a skill he'd been doing since childhood.

That's the thing about these psychological performance issues – they're like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

Where does she go from here?

The fact that Greaves can still win tournaments while battling dartitis is frankly ridiculous. It's like watching someone win a marathon with a sprained ankle.

"But to win one Women's Series title this weekend gives me some confidence heading into whatever I play next," she said.

I'm rooting for her like she's family. There's something about watching someone so young face such a specific, cruel challenge that makes you want to reach through the screen adn help somehow.

For now, her darts remain out of the river. And the darting world is much better for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?

Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

How often should I replace my dartboard?

A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.

Statistics

The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.

External Links

How To

Final Thoughts From a Passionate Amateur

As I'm writing this in late 2023, I'm still working on improving my own game. My current challenge is mastering the triple 19 as an alternative to the triple 20 when one gets blocked by previous darts. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks—my muscle memory fights me every step of the way!