Ball marking in rough

[JimmyW]

It happened today...

The fellow I golf with and I were playing the nineth at Cloverdale this morning and the funniest thing happened.

Both our second shots (from the fairway) landed just off the green and in the thick rough about an inch apart.

2 questions

1. If it was seen that the second ball hit the first (which wasn't noticed) what is the proper rule for placement??

2. How do you properly mark a ball that is sitting off the ground in the rough, also considering the fact that the two ball are playing so close together?? (allowing for practice swing and the possibility of unintentionally moving the mark?)
:

[Gary Hill]

1-
If a ball in play and at rest is moved by another ball in motion after a stroke, the moved ball shall be replaced - Rule 18-5.

If a player's ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by a ball in play and at rest, the player shall play his ball as it lies - Rule 19-5a.

Translation: The ball that got moved is moved back and the ball that moved it is played as it lies.

2-
The act of placing a marker may result in some change in the lie of the ball, for example, from grass being depressed by the weight of the marker. Such occurrences may improve or worsen the lie of the ball, and the player must accept the result.

If the ball-marker interferes with the play, the marker may be placed one or more clubhead lengths to the side (analogous to being on someone's line on the putting green).

In this situation, the balls are so close together that the original lie will obviously be altered.

If the original lie of a ball to be placed or replaced has been altered: except in a hazard, the ball shall be placed in the nearest lie most similar to the original lie which is not more than one club-length from the original lie, not nearer the hole and not in a hazard - Rule 20-3b.

A player is entitled to the lie which his stroke gave him. Practice swings should be taken well away.

Translation: Mark the ball closest to the hole. Measure and place the marker to the side. After the first ball is played, replace the second ball. If the area has been altered, place it in the nearest similar lie.