Jc,

Trust is an important factor. When practicing I too have a club on the ground to assist with my alignment. I have always worked hard on the point as in the past, it was a bug bare.

When practicing I always incorporate my pre-shot routine.

As you do, I pick a mark forward of the ball. I walk to the ball and put the club face pointing at this mark. When doing this though, I put my right foot into position square/parrarel with this point. I visualise the imaginary line forward and back from the ball. I align my left foot and widening my stance slightly to this line. I liken it to a set of railway tracks.

On the course I trust this but when practicing I can check that the alignment is fine.

Hope I haven't warbled too much.

__________________
VP