practice swing in hazard

Question
I am having a practice swing away from my ball which is in a hazard where there is grass. I am also in the hazard away from the ball. I have not grounded my club at any time but have touched the long grass during my practice swing - I have not removed or damaged the grass - that action has NOT improved or altered the lie of the ball. Is that a penalty - given my club has not been grounded at any time and nothing has changed. I have not tested the condition of the hazard as I haven't touched the ground. I have read the rules and they are not clear enough. I would appreciate a "clear" answer and explanation as to how you arrived at that answer. Many thanks - we have differing interpretations amongst our players.

Answer
Hi Marie:

Same thing has happened to me several times in tournaments.  When there is long grass in a hazard, and you are taking some practice swings above all the stuff, if your club touches the tops of the grass, say on the backswing, there is no penalty.  You are correct, there is no evidence of you trying to improve the lie, you have not grounded your club, and you have not or are not trying to test the surface.  Therefore, there is no call.  I had a rules official tell me to always use your best judgement in a hazard in relation to practice swings.  If the grass is tall, you might want to consider taking your swings outside the hazard so nothing can ever be said.  But it's realistic for you to take a few swings in the hazard to simulate your conditions of the real attempt.  Now if you took a whack at the grass and cut it up, then obviously that is different.  What you say you did, there is no penalty.  With that said, remember to not touch the surface of the hazard when taking practice swings so you do not draw any attention to someone who may challenge you "just because".  My answer is no penalty.  I believe there is wiggle room in the rules for exactly this.  The rules are not black and white.  There are several rules that are left up to the interpretation of the players in the group.  Yours fit this category.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member