Experience and imagination with solid fundamentals equals a great short game. Most players will find that they grip the club extremely hard when they are trying to hit the ball further than normal. If your fore arms are tight, that will tell you that your probably gripping the club to tight. While practicing try to establish a light grip pressure at address and maintain that pressure throughout the entire swing. Once you learn to keep the swing free of tension, you should see an increase in your distance.
Most players tend to key on the alignment of their feet only.
It is extremely important that the shoulders are square to the intended target line. If the shoulders are square at address the swing has a greater chance to be on the target line. The feet can be slightly open or slightly closed, depending on the preference of the player, and may not have much of an impact on the outcome of the shot. On the other hand, if the shoulders are slightly open or closed it can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of the shot. Take the time to check your shoulders for correct alignment and notice how the percentage of straighter shots increase.