God. Remember when your mom would nag you about wearing those ratty old sneakers? Well, imagine having that conversation broadcast to thousands of darts fans while you're trying not to choke against one of the greatest players ever.
That's exactly what happened to 22-year-old Owen Bates last week. Poor kid got absolutely roasted by commentators while losing to Michael van Gerwen in the Players Championship 14. And I'm not talking about his dart-throwing technique.
The Sock Scandal That Broke The Internet
So here's the deal. Bates has apparently been rocking the same pair of worn-out plimsoles for YEARS. Like, multiple years. I'm talking about shoes so destroyed that he had to wear extra pairs of socks just to make them fit properly. As someone who once wore the same pair of Vans until my pinky toe was literally poking through the side, I feel seen.
During the match, commentator Paul Nicholson couldn't help himself: "I was having a word with Owen about his love for wearing very simple darting footwear. For a while he had been wearing the same plimsoles for the past two or three years. They were so worn out at the bottom he would actually fluff them up by wearing extra pairs of socks."
His colleague Dan Dawson twisted the knife further: "Yeah, he was wearing multiple pairs of socks at one point. I think he has been publicly shamed into sorting that out."
Ouch.
Why are we even talking about his FEET?
I texted my buddy who follows the darts circuit religiously, and he was like, "Those shoes were legendary tho. Everyone knew about them." Apparently in darts, your footwear becomes part of your identity? My friend swears that some players think their shoes are lucky.
Back in 2018, I interviewed a pro darts player (won't name names) who admitted he'd worn the same underwear for an entire tournament run. These athletes are superstitious as hell. So forcing Bates to change his shoes? That's practically sports sabotage.
The actual match? Oh right, that happened too
Almost forgot to mention the actual darts part. MVG (that's what we insiders call van Gerwen) beat Bates 6-3 in the first round. The Dutch legend averaged 94 and hit 6 out of 16 doubles. Not his best performance, but enough to snap his streak of four straight first-round exits.
Meanwhile, Bates is actually having a decent 2025 despite the footwear drama. He's ranked #79 in the world and sits second on teh Development Tour Order of Merit behind Beau Greaves. Kid's already won two titles this season.
When trying on shirts becomes a health hazard
Listen. I spent $4K on a standing desk setup to avoid shoulder injuries, and then MVG goes and hurts himself... trying on shirts? For real. The three-time world champ had to pull out of the Premier League night in Berlin because of this freak wardrobe malfunction.
I feel stupid now for thinking athletes only get injured doing, you know, athletic things. Apparently the biggest threat to a darts career is your closet.
The Unspoken Shoe Protocol
What fascinates me is how this whole incident reveals the weird unwritten rules of professional darts. Like, there's apparently a line between "charmingly eccentric equipment choices" and "publicly shameful footwear decisions."
My editor bet me $20 that Bates secretly kept his old shoes and just bought identical new ones to appease the commentators. His response: "already updating my resume if you publish that conspiracy theory."
But seriously, imagine being in the middle of a high-pressure match against one of the greatest players ever, and the commentators are discussing your sock layering techniques. It's like showing up for a job interview and having the panel discuss your haircut instead of your qualifications.
That's darts for you. Where your throw matters less than your toes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
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 do I improve my dart throwing technique?
Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.
Statistics
- A professional dart weighs between 18-50 grams, with most players preferring 21-24 gram darts.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
- The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
External Links
How To
The Dart Player's Journey: From Rookie to Robin Hood
I've been throwing darts since my college days back in 2008, but it wasn't until February 2022 that I really got serious about improving my game. That winter was brutal in Minneapolis—we had snow piled up to our windowsills, and I needed an indoor hobby that wouldn't drive my roommates crazy. Darts seemed perfect! Well, until I put a few holes in our wall... which led to my first lesson: always invest in a proper dartboard surround. My landlord wasn't thrilled about teh repair costs, but it taught me a valuable lesson about proper setup.
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