Dart Player Sponsor - Michelle Walton

We'd like to introduce everyone to Michelle Walton, our newest sponsored dart player. As part of GLD Product's sponsorship program, Michelle is an accomplished dart player who has given some information on how she got started playing and why she loves the game.

How did you first start playing darts?

I have been playing or as long as I can remember. I started when the softball team I was on would go to the bar after games and we would play darts. I was okay and wanted to get better. So I started bartending and played every chance I got. One night I wanted to play with the guys who were playing team and for dollars. They wouldn't let me play since they thought I wasn't good enough. That was my motivation to want to get better and one day I did. I started beating the guys. 

What is a moment in your darting career that sticks out to you?

It was probably the first Pittsburgh Bullshooter that I ever went too. My partner Cathy and I were playing in one. of the women's doubles finals against what was a popular women's doubles team. They would hit big darts and the whole crowd would cheer. I would go up and hit big darts too. Off to the side you could hear my partner, and only my partner cheer. It's something I would never forget. We ended up taking second place in that event and I could not have been happier. Also making the East/West All Star Team and making it to Cricket Nationals is something that really sticks out to me. Two tough accomplishments in steel tip that not everyone gets to experience. 

What are some of your best playing practice?

Depends on if it's soft or steel tip. Steel we play 170 and cricket count up. Soft we just play to practice. Sometimes I will play cricket where you can only hit doubles, or I might play a 4 player game and not move onto the next number until all four players have closed the number. 

This is a common practice method that I share with new players that come to my house for help with their game. Recently, I have helped a woman with her darts and people have told me that they can see a real difference in her game. Sometimes I like helping others more than I like playing. It's great to see such new interest in the game. I want everyone to love it as much as I do. 

Do you have your go-to equipment when you play?

My go to darts are Black Widows with pro grip spinning shafts and Robson flights. I use 20 gram with a kite flight soft tip and 23 gram fixed point with a standard flight for steel.

Do you have any advice for people who are interested in playing darts?

Do it! Play, have fun. Join a league. We all started somewhere, don't be afraid that you might not be the best one out there. Dart players respect each other and build each other up. You can ask anyone that has been playing for a while for suggestions on supplies, strategy and ways to develop their skills and they would be happy to talk with you. We are a big family and we always welcome new faces. It's about love for the game. 

We'd like to once again take this time to thank Michelle for who giving some insight into the world of playing darts.