It seems important when aligning the clubface first (before body) to not allow your head to tilt, in other words look at the ball and then then target by just swiveling your head, so that when you look at the target your eyes will be perpendicular to the ground.
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"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)