The Power Pulls the Plug: Phil Taylor's Final Bow from Darts at 64

By Lewis Barnett 21 May, 2025 5 mins read 76 Views

God. I never thought I'd see the day. Phil "The Power" Taylor – the man who practically IS darts – has finally, officially hung up his arrows for good. At 64, the legend has called time on a career that's spanned four decades and redefined what excellence in this sport looks like.

Audio Summary of the Article

When the Music Stopped

Taylor technically stepped away from the professional circuit back in 2018 after that heartbreaking World Championship final loss to Rob Cross at Ally Pally. I remember watching that match with my brother-in-law, both of us hoping for one last hurrah from the great man. Wasn't to be.

Since then, he's kept his hand in with seniors events and exhibition matches – giving fans like me one more chance to see teh master at work. But now? It's over-over.

What The Man Himself Had to Say

In his retirement statement, Taylor was pure class (as always): "After a long and fantastic career over the last 40 years, I announce that from today I am retiring from playing darts."

He went on to thank the darts community, calling it "a privilege to be part of such a vibrant and passionate community" and acknowledging how fan support drove his success.

Not gonna lie, reading those words hit me harder than I expected. End of an era doesn't begin to cover it.

Injury Finally Did What Opponents Couldn't

Taylor was actually scheduled to compete at the World Seniors Darts Masters in November, but a persistent hip problem forced him to withdraw. At his age, those injuries don't heal like they used to.

I met him briefly at an exhibition in Birmingham back in 2019, and even then he mentioned his hip was "giving me grief." Guess it finally became too much.

Numbers That Boggle the Mind

Listen. We need to talk about what this man accomplished. 87 major titles. SIXTEEN world championships. Let that sink in.

His last World Championship win came in 2013 when he defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-4 in the final. I spent £120 on tickets for that one and it was worth every penny – the atmosphere was electric, like nothing I've experienced before or since.

So... What's Next?

Interestingly, Taylor hinted at staying involved with darts in other capacities. "As one chapter closes, another one opens," he wrote. "This transition opens up new opportunities for me to explore and engage with the sport in different ways."

My mate who works with the PDC thinks Taylor will move into commentary or mentoring. "He knows too much about winning to just disappear," he texted me yesterday. Makes sense.

Taylor also mentioned meeting fans "around the country" and promised updates about "upcoming events, appearances, and projects."

Whatever he does next, it won't be the same as watching him stand at the oche, that intense concentration before letting fly with another perfect dart.

The End... Or Just a New Beginning?

I've followed Taylor since I was 12 years old. My dad took me to see him play in Stoke in 1995, and I've been hooked ever since. Watching him retire feels like losing a constant in my life.

But maybe that's being melodramatic.

The Power may be putting down his darts, but his legacy is permanently etched into the sport. And who knows? Maybe his next chapter will be just as influential as his playing days.

For now though, I'm raising a pint to the greatest to ever do it. Thanks for the memories, Phil.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 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.

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.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

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.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

Statistics

The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
The World Darts Championship prize fund exceeded £2.5 million in 2023, with the champion receiving £500,000.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.

External Links

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Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.