Power and Left Arm-to-Chest Connection?

Question
Hi Eddie,
I've been working on my swing and overall game pretty consistently during the last year after a few years away from the game.  I enjoy all aspects of the game, but I'm most addicted to the feeling of hitting iron shots solidly.  I'm fairly short (5'5") and slight of build (115 lbs), and I'm not a terribly long hitter (6-iron is my usual 150-yd club).  I often find myself looking to add distance on my iron shots so that my approach shots are more manageable.  I recently read a tip from Sergio Garcia where he says that he tries to feel like his left arm is connected to his chest on the downswing.  I've noticed that I tend to let my left arm get a little separated from my chest on the downswing, and I wonder whether my body is not contributing to the swing as much as it could be.  Do you think that focusing on this tip might give me more power and distance? Or based on my build, should I be looking elsewhere (or should I forget about trying to get longer with my irons)?

Thanks,
Bruce

Answer
Hi Bruce:

Yes I do but not a significant amount.  If your left arm separates away from your body, there is no power in just an arm.  As you swing forward from the top of the backswing, your left arm should feel as though it is rotating down and left towards your chest as you continue to turn to the finish.  There is a certain amount of rotation needed to square the clubface so you can hit it solid.  There is much more power as you turn through the shot if your body and left arm feel as though they are more connected.  Do not try to plaster your left arm against your chest.  That would be a disaster.  Your left arm must swing freely, but you need to feel a little more connection than you do.  Also, my suggestion at 115 pounds is to get onto a weight gaining program adding muscle mass and then do some forearm, wrist and hand exercises to strengthen them.  As a little guy myself, I know how important it is to be really strong in the arms, hands and wrists.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member