What happens when a player touches a moving ball while attempting to tap in a short putt?

When a player touches a moving ball while attempting to tap in a short putt, the rules of golf state that this results in a general penalty, and the stroke must be counted. The key point here is that once the ball is in motion, the player must avoid any contact with it, as doing so interferes with the play of the ball. When the player inadvertently touches the moving ball, it is considered a breach of the rules that governs play, specifically relating to causing a ball in motion to stop or change its direction. Consequently, the player incurs a penalty and must add an additional stroke to their score for that hole, making it essential for golfers to be aware of the rules governing their actions during play.