Alignment is a visual technique. Lay two clubs parallel to each other about two feet apart, like railroad tracks. Tee the ball up in the middle of the two clubs and place your toes on one of the clubs. Your body and the parallel clubs should form a T-square. That will give you proper alignment.
Distance is relative to the squareness of contact.
Establish a tempo and stay within yourself. Don't lose control of your body. Detroit city golf champion at Denby in 1975.