Whitlock hits out at DRA’s rule change to stop aggressive points as he was targeted “100% I think it was aimed at me!”

Simon Whitlock’s darts have created quite a stir over the last few seasons. Despite this, the 55-year-old Australian does not intend to quit taking them anytime soon.

Whitlock has been using darts with coarse tips for a while because they stay on the board better. However, last year it was revealed that the DRA (Darts Regulation Authority) intended to prohibit the use of aggressive points due to the damage they caused to the dartboards. Consequently, a rule was effectively enacted early this year.

How the new rule was written following the change from the 2023 rulebook 

“If the tournament director believes that darts are unduly damaging the dartboard he will prohibit the use of these darts in the event.

“If a player is in doubt as to whether their darts are allowed, they are advised to contact the tournament director for clarification.”

In truth, very nothing has changed since the regulation change was implemented.

“It’s not affected me at all. I said straight away that there’s no way this rule will come in because everyone uses points with grooves and criss-cross patterns and stuff.

“And pretty much every player who doesn’t will rough their points up. I’ve stuck with the same thing, it’s not damaging the boards and it’s all cool”

“100% I think it was aimed at me! But why target me? I’m just about finished at darts now so what’s the point? But also, Winmau boards do not fall apart like Unicorn boards which were pretty awful at the end.

“You’d throw three darts and you’d be pulling out stuff. The dartboards are brilliant now, and there’s absolutely no damage whatsoever.”