Lateral Hazard Question

[Leonardite]

Had a situation arise today and didn't know exactly how to play it so I played two balls.

I hit a drive into a lateral hazard. After finding it I noticed I would be able to play it, and I didn't ground my club but I hit some tall "cattails" on both my backswing and follow through. Didn't know if it was a penalty, so I played a second ball (where I dropped) and finished out both balls. Hopefully somebody can let me know if it would be a penalty for hitting my first ball (since I never grounded the club, but hit objects in the lateral hazard on my backswing and follow through).

I kept both scores and I'm waiting to post it on my handicap until I find an answer.

Thanks in advance.

[ericm]

I'm not 100% certain, but I have a decent amount of confidence that you DID NOT incur a penalty.

[Mats++]

Rule 13-4 states that

Note:At any time,including at address or in the backward movement for the stroke,the player may touch,with a club or otherwise,any obstruction,any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course or any grass,bush,tree or other growing thing