Gary Anderson: The Smoothest Throw in Darts
The arm barely moves, the dart simply leaves, and the treble 20 swallows another maximum. Gary Anderson's throw has kept commentators hunting for words for years — they always land on "effortless."
Who Is Gary Anderson?
Anderson is a Scottish professional nicknamed "The Flying Scotsman," and a two-time PDC World Champion with back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016. By modern standards, he came to darts relatively late.
He grew up in Musselburgh and built his early reputation in the BDO before moving to the PDC. Once there, he turned into one of the most consistent big-stage performers of his generation.
Back-to-Back World Titles
His 2015 world title was seismic: he beat Phil Taylor in a deciding-set final. Beating Taylor in a world final was the hardest assignment in darts, and Anderson did it under maximum pressure.
A year later he defended the crown, joining the short list of players with consecutive world championships. Back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace remain rare, which says everything about how good his peak was.
Beyond the Worlds
The rest of his trophy cabinet covers the sport's biggest events. He won the World Matchplay and the UK Open in 2018, plus multiple Premier League titles earlier in his career.
- Built to official tournament specifications for serious practice and match play
- Dual-density core improves dart retention and keeps the board playing consistently
- Ultra-thin wiring increases the scoring area and cuts down on bounce-outs
He's also stayed a fixture deep into world championships, reaching further finals beyond his two wins. Writing Anderson off has kept proving to be a mistake, even as younger stars arrived.
The Smoothest Throw in Darts
Anderson's action is the one coaches show beginners: minimal effort, no snap, just clean acceleration and release. There's no tension in the arm and no wasted movement in the follow-through.
That relaxed style isn't just pretty — it survives pressure because there's less to go wrong. It also fuels one of the heaviest natural scoring games darts has seen, famous for stacking 180s in televised matches.
Want to chase that kind of consistency? Start with the fundamentals:
- A stable, repeatable stance at the throw line
- A relaxed grip that doesn't strangle the barrel
- A follow-through that finishes toward the target every time
Our collection of tips to throwing darts breaks each of those down.
The Reluctant Superstar
Anderson has never played the showman. He's famously low-key about walk-ons, crowds, and hype, treating darts as a job he happens to be brilliant at.
That understated manner made him a fan favorite anyway. In a sport full of characters, the quiet Scotsman letting his throw do the talking became a character of its own.
How many world titles has Gary Anderson won?
Two PDC World Championships, won back-to-back in 2015 and 2016.
What other titles has Gary Anderson won?
The World Matchplay and the UK Open, both in 2018, sit alongside multiple Premier League titles from earlier in his career. He's also reached further world finals beyond his two wins.
Why is Gary Anderson called The Flying Scotsman?
He's Scottish, and the nickname borrows from the famous express train. It fits how quickly and smoothly his darts reach the board.
Next session, stop forcing the dart — Anderson's whole career says it flies better when you let it go.