God. I almost didn't write this piece. Spent 45 minutes debating whether anyone gives a damn about darts beyond the UK and parts of Europe. My editor insisted, "Trust me, these players have cult followings." Whatever you say, boss.
The M1 Nearly Ruined Everything
So here's the deal - Cameron Menzies (Scottish darts player, for the uninitiated) was literally stuck in traffic hell when he should've been warming up for the Players Championship in Leicester. Not just a little traffic. We're talking full-on M1 shutdown with helicopters and ambulances. Poor guy sat there for TWO HOURS watching his tournament chances evaporate.
I've been in similar situations. Back in 2019, I missed an interview with a minor celebrity because of a jackknifed truck on the A40. My editor at teh time was... less than sympathetic.
Menzies had to call PDC officials (Professional Darts Corporation - the big leagues) begging for mercy on his tardiness. Can you imagine that conversation? "Hi, yeah, I might be 20 minutes late to the professional sporting event I'm supposed to compete in... sorry!"
Wait... He's Still a Plumber?!
This is the part that blew my mind. Menzies is 35 years old, winning professional tournaments, and STILL working as a plumber during the day. Like he's fixing someone's toilet at 8am and then beating world champions at 8pm.
Not anymore though.
"I'm quitting my job soon," he announced after winning. "I'm taking up darts full-time. It is genuinely crazy, my darts career is kicking off, it's my dream."
Listen. I respect anyone who holds onto their day job while pursuing something uncertain. But there comes a point where you've gotta take the leap, right?
Scottish Darts Mafia
The most wholesome part of this story is how the Scottish darts community seems to function like some kind of supportive family. Menzies beat Peter Wright 8-3 in the final, and then immediately gushed about how Wright used to play with his DAD and has been mentoring him.
"He played counties with my dad. Honestly Peter has been brilliant with me over the past couple of years. The respect I've got for him," Menzies said after crushing the very man who helped him.
He also namedropped Gary Anderson (another Scottish darts legend), John Henderson and Robert Thornton as part of his support network. Makes me wonder if there's some secret Scottish darts compound where they all practice together while drinking Irn-Bru and eating haggis. (Sorry, Scottish friends. Lazy stereotype. Won't happen again.)
The Confidence is Growing...
After his second Players Championship win, you can feel Menzies starting to believe in himself. "I don't know what to say because I thought the first one was lucky to win. To win two, I'm buzzing. It wasn't luck, if that makes sense."
That last line - "it wasn't luck" - hits hard. It's that moment when someone realizes they actually deserve their success. I remember interviewing an author who'd just won her second major award, adn she said almost exactly the same thing: "The first time I thought they made a mistake. Now I'm starting to think maybe I'm good at this."
Where Was Littler?
Oh, and if you're wondering about teenage sensation Luke Littler (who my teenage nephew won't shut up about) - he crashed out in the first round. Darts is weird like that. One day you're unstoppable, the next you're booking an early Uber back to the hotel.
Three Scots made the semifinals though. Not bad for a country of 5.5 million people.
I'm genuinely curious how Menzies will do now that he's going full-time. Will we see him challenging for World Championships? Or will he be calling his old plumbing clients in six months asking if they've got any leaky taps?
My money's on the former. Anyone who can win a tournament after being stuck in traffic for two hours has the mental toughness to go far.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?
This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.
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.
How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?
Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
Statistics
- Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
- The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
- In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
External Links
How To
Mastering Your Grip & Stance
There's no single "correct" way to hold a dart, but there are definitely wrong ways. Most players use 3 fingers (thumb, index, middle) with the dart resting primarily on the middle finger. Some pros use 4 or even 5 fingers, but I'd suggest starting with 3.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/mvgs-bizarre-injury-shirtputtingon-goes-horribly-wrong
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