Most people get too carried away with this hands forward stuff. especially on short chips, I like the hands almost even with the ball position which I also like in the center not back.
After all, you don't want the ball to run so why play it back with hands ahead(this delofts the club and also plays heck with the hosel digging in).
Now if you want to make sure, open the face alot and just pop the ball up.
A bad putt is better than a bad chip, so why not putt it.