I've been re-reading this subject lately. (Actually, I've been reading Golf:How Good do you want to be? By Bill Kroen, and liaisoning with my coach).

BrianW gives what I've come to conclude as the absolute forward position for the ball for a chip or pitch. The ball should be no further ahead than middle, preferably 1 ball back of middle to ensure that you hit ball first, and cleanly. You really have to have bad mechanics to put the ball back behind middle and still hit it fat. It's much easier to both fat and thin the ball if it's forward. Save ball up in the stance for the bunker.

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True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com
PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.