marking ball off the green

Question
I was playing in a foursome and two balls were just off the green in the putting line of another also off the green but behind us.  My friend told me to mark my ball but that I had to pick my ball up and when it was time to replace it had to place it exactly the way it was ( I knew I couldn't clean it, but she lifted the ball with her thumb and index finger and held it like that until she replaced it.  Is that the rule?  I couldn't find anything about it in the book of rules.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Abbe Ritchie,

I抦 not a Golf Rules expert. So, this is not advice, just an opinion.
Rules 20, 21 and 22 are about this topic.
First, you only can lift the ball if you are asked to do so (Rule 22-2 note 1)
Second, if that is the case you, your partner or someone with your permission, have to lift the ball (Rules 22-2 and 20-1)
Third, the ball must be replaced (Rule 22-2)
Fourth, the ball must not be cleaned , unless on the putting green (Rule 22-2)
Considered all that I don抰 see what抯 the base for the fundamentalist interpretation of the Golf Rules made by your friend.

Marcel White
www.puttinglines.com