Abel's sacrifice was accepted by God because it was made according to God's instructions. Cain, however, tried to approach God in his own way and was rejected by God (Genesis 4:3-5). From that point on, Cain became a symbol of those who try to approach God on their own terms.
You play the golf course just like you played it in your practice rounds and you stick to your game plan and just try to get whatever you can out of it.