Ball Position at address?

[Deep Stuff]

Is there a general rule of thumb?

I ask this because I am having some problems when I am close to the green, but cannot use my 6 or 8 iron to chip and run. I use my Lob wedge but I tend to hit it thin and skull it hard at times.

I honestly think if I can solve this problem or at least minimize it by a lot, I can shave a lot of shots off my score, especially now while the greens are not in great shape.

[Finn07]

I think its generally what you feel more comfortable with around the green whether you go with the 8 iron chip, but I definitely wouldnt recommend a lob wedge if you are planning on running the ball up there. I personally do not use an 8 iron to chip, I use a gap wedge.

I tend to hit the 8 iron way too hard causing it to run past the flag so Ive abandoned that shot, but Ive seen many people who absolutely love that shot, and are really good at it. To answer your question, IMO the best thing for you to do is get the ball on the ground quickly and let it run up to the hole. Now there are alot of variables to consider when doing this but generally if your talking about your basic chip shot from 15 yards below the hole this is probably your easiest bet.

Open your stance a little bit, keep your weight generally on your front foot and play the ball about in the middle of your stance. Take a short backswing and strike down on the ball, make sure you make contact with the ball first otherwise you'll either chunk it or your club will bounce off the turf and strike in the middle of the ball on the upswing causing the ball to fly past the hole. I would say that is your bump and run from off the green, below the hole.

[muskegman]

If you're hitting it thin, its likely that the ball is too far forward in your stance, if you're hitting it thick its too far back in your stance. Generally around the greens you want the ball a little further back in your stance and follow the advice Finn gave you regarding set-up.

I started to chip better when I treated chipping more like putting. Pick the proper club and put a smooth stroke on it. Accelerate through the ball.

[golfchief]

All good advise, also do not break the wrists keep them firm and do some practice with the firm wrist to get a feel for ball flight.

[sungho_kr]

If you want to know a good general rule for ball position, little lower body movement benefits from the ball being in the back of the stance, for the tour pro or active legs kinda person, you want the ball forward. Also you will hit the ball higher either buy putting the ball up in ur stance about 3 inches or back in ur stance 1/2 inch. the 1/2 inch will put a good zip, a solid feeling, and most importantly backspin.

[iacas]

If you want to know a good general rule for ball position, little lower body movement benefits from the ball being in the back of the stance, for the tour pro or active legs kinda person, you want the ball forward. Also you will hit the ball higher either buy putting the ball up in ur stance about 3 inches or back in ur stance 1/2 inch. the 1/2 inch will put a good zip, a solid feeling, and most importantly backspin.

Please read the actual posts before commenting. You responded as if he was asking about ball position for full swings. He was not.

I ask this because I am having some problems when I am close to the green, but cannot use my 6 or 8 iron to chip and run. I use my Lob wedge but I tend to hit it thin and skull it hard at times.

[Rafcin]

In my 6 years playing golf I don't think I chipped with a LW more than 10 times ( oh yea, I DO miss a lot of greens ) The only reason I'd even consider it is when the lie is extra tight (dry, short cut fairway).
I'd usually use something from SW to 7i (depending on much green there is between me and the stick), but sometimes the 14deg bounce on the SW is too much. Depending on how much I care for the score - I'd still not use LW, since it's more risky IMHO and make sure I'm on the green somewhere before I try to pull out a hero shot.
So I guess my answer to your question is - ball position is irrelevant, try to avoid this shot