Why I Switched to Short Dart Stems... And Why I Don't Think I'll Be Going Back....

One of the things I've learnt throughout my darts journey is that improvement doesn't always come from buying a new set of barrels.

Sometimes it's the smallest adjustments that have the biggest impact.

As players, we're always looking for that little edge. Something that makes the dart feel more natural, fly more consistently or simply gives us more confidence every time we step up to the oche.

For me, that latest change came in the form of something incredibly simple.

Switching from medium stems to short stems.

It wasn't a change I expected to make.

And it certainly wasn't one I expected to have such a noticeable impact.

A Long-Time Medium Stem User

They suited my throw, the darts grouped nicely and I loved the way they stacked in the board. Watching one dart sit neatly on top of another gave me confidence, and I never really questioned whether I should change.

If something isn't broken, why fix it?

But over the last few months, there was one feeling I just couldn't ignore.

Although the darts were stacking well, I often felt they were almost floating towards the board rather than driving into it.

It's a difficult thing to explain unless you've experienced it yourself.

The darts weren't flying badly.

They just didn't feel quite as positive as I wanted.

That feeling stayed in the back of my mind, and eventually curiosity got the better of me.

Time To Experiment

One thing I've always tried to do throughout The Orm Storm journey is stay open-minded.

I'm not interested in chasing gimmicks or believing every new product is going to transform my game overnight.

But I am willing to experiment.

After all, if I'm asking people to follow my journey, I want them to see the real process.

The successes.

The failures.

And the little discoveries along the way.

So I fitted a set of short stems and decided to give them a proper chance.

Not ten minutes.

Not one practice leg.

Long enough for my throw to adapt.

The First Few Throws

As expected, everything felt a little strange at first.

The dart looked different.

The balance felt different.

The flight through the air looked different.

That's completely normal whenever you change any part of your setup.

I think one mistake a lot of players make is changing something, throwing a handful of darts, then immediately deciding it doesn't work.

Equipment changes need time.

Your brain and your muscle memory need chance to catch up.

I'm glad I stuck with them.

Then Something Clicked

After a few sessions, I started noticing exactly what I'd been hoping for.

The darts no longer felt like they were floating towards the board.

Instead, they felt much more direct.

The flight seemed more purposeful.

Almost like the dart knew exactly where it wanted to go from the moment it left my fingers.

That alone gave me more confidence.

But what surprised me most was something I wasn't expecting......

They Actually Feel Heavier

Obviously, changing stem length doesn't magically increase the weight of your darts.

The scales would tell you they're exactly the same.

But in my hand...

They genuinely feel heavier.

It's hard to explain, but the overall setup feels more substantial.

More solid.

That extra sense of weight has given me more confidence during my throw and makes the release feel more deliberate.

Whether that's psychological or simply down to how the balance has changed doesn't really matter.

What matters is how the dart feels in my hand.

And right now...

It feels great.

A More Front-Weighted Feel

The other thing I've really noticed is that the darts now feel slightly more front weighted.

Again, the balance point hasn't dramatically changed, but the overall feel certainly has.

For my throw, that's a really positive thing.

I've always preferred a setup that feels like the point is leading the dart towards the board.

Since switching to short stems, that's exactly how they feel.

Everything feels just a little more connected.

More positive.

More controlled.

It's one of those changes that's difficult to measure but very easy to feel.

It's Not About Being Right

One thing I want to make absolutely clear...

This isn't me saying short stems are better than medium stems.

They're simply better for me.

Every player throws differently.

Every player grips the dart differently.

Every player wants something slightly different from their setup.

If medium stems are working perfectly for you...

Fantastic.

Stick with them.

But if you've never experimented with stem lengths, I'd genuinely recommend giving it a go.

You might be surprised by the difference.

Confidence Is Everything

If there's one thing this change has reminded me, it's that confidence plays a huge part in darts.

Knowing your equipment feels right allows you to throw without thinking.

You're no longer questioning your setup.

You're simply concentrating on the target.

For me, the switch to short stems has helped me reach that point.

The darts now feel:

• More direct through the air.

• Less like they're floating towards the board.

• Slightly heavier in the hand.

• A little more front weighted.

• More natural for the way I throw.

None of those changes are huge on their own.

But together...

They've completely changed how confident I feel standing at the oche.

Small Changes... Big Difference

It's funny really.

We spend so much time talking about barrels, grip patterns, points and coatings.

Yet one of the smallest pieces of the dart has made one of the biggest differences to my game.

Will I ever go back to medium stems?

Never say never.

Darts is all about evolving and continuing to learn.

But right now...

I honestly can't see myself changing back.

Sometimes the smallest adjustments end up becoming the permanent ones.

Final Thoughts

One of the things I love most about this journey is discovering that improvement often comes from unexpected places.

Every player is different.

Every throw is unique.

Every setup tells its own story.

For me, switching to short stems has made my darts feel more positive, more balanced and ultimately given me more confidence every time I step up to the board.

It might not work for everyone.

But it has definitely worked for me.

And that's exactly what The Orm Storm is all about.

Real experiences.

Real testing.

Real improvement.