putting pga rules

Question
I have a conflict with a buddy of mine on a putting issue.
Are you allowed, when putting, after you practice putt away from the ball and when you approach your ball, are you allowed to put your putter down on the ground to putt the ball, and then lift it back up prior to putting your ball?  
I went to caddie school and believe that this was one of the questions.  I think it's a two stroke penalty but cannot find any literature that I can print out as proof.
Thanks for your help.

Answer
Dave,

Here is the definition of addressing the ball from the USGA web site.

Addressing the Ball;
A player has "addressed the ball" when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.

The above is the procedure that you described above. Once the player has grounded his/her club there is no penalty of if the club is than lifted off the ground prior to the swing.

This would be the players choice.

Keep in mind, if the player addresses the ball and the ball moves there is a penalty.

Thanks for the question.

Michael Hoffman
PGA Professional