Casual round to get ready for Tournament round

There is another forum discussion concerning bad game remedies.  Several comments said to treat each round like a tournament round.

Here's my problem.  I love to play rounds alone.  I get to work at my own pace, and, therefore, develop a rhythm.  The rhythm can get broken if I have a bad shot, but usually can recover the rhythm quickly and do okay.

Tournament rounds, though...  I have never gotten used to Person A, then B (I'll insert myself here), then C, then D...  Then furthest away (C), then A, then D, then B...  and so on and so forth completing each hole...  No rhythm is developed.

This holds true for my days of traditional golf.  I could play pretty doggone good on my own, but add two or three others, and the rhythm is gone.

The question is, how is the best way to prepare for tournament play where you never can develop a true rhythm?  The waiting for others between shots "interferes" (not meant to sound bad, but couldn't think of any other word) with my brain, and I start thinking about the upcoming shot and rethinking and second-guessing.  How is do you keep from second-guessing shot selection?  If I over think, then I am bound to perform poorly on that shot, and what rhythm there was, is completely gone.

Any ideas?

[Eirik]

Drive off the tee pad, move half way up and sit down and stare at birds. Move another few feet and wait. Then go to your shot and take your time and throw. Repeat for the rest of the fairway.

All joking aside, maybe a friend or two may help? Find some people on the course and play for money. Playing alone is only cool to learn a course. You need to practice competitively to play competitively. That's just my opinion though.

[Brett Mackie]

I agree, though sometimes I can play competitively on my own. Sometimes, my best rival is myself. Always play to beat your personal best.
Playing with friends, even if you've just met them on the course, is a great way to go though. Maybe one will even be in your tourney group!

[Sappydisc]

Play doubles,a lot of people talk during dubs,also if your playing rec,a lot of people in the recreational division like to talk a lot and it can be very destracting.

[harold king]

bring what you do in practice rounds to tourney play,,even rituals..the things you do for each hole,stick to that ,each time you tee off,,also i dont watch other players drive offthe tee,as not to be influence by a bad drive or others form,,always play your game and form