Chuck Cook is PGA of America teacher of the year for 1996. He teaches privately at Barton Creek Country Club in Spicewood, Texas. His students include PGA touring pros Ben Crenshaw, Tom Kite, Larry Mize and Corey Pavin.
Amateurs tend to have their hands at the center of the body and often behind the ball.
To fix it, here is a simple drill. Start by placing the hands in the proper impact position. Using perhaps an 8-iron, start hitting low chip shots always making sure the hands are in the proper position at impact. Slowly grow the backswing and follow through, but never go beyond a point from which you cannot return to the proper impact position.