re: Telling a begginer to “start from the hole and work back” is bad advice

I agree with your point.

The more proficient you become as a ball striker, the more your potential rises as a golfer.

Good ball strikers rarely hit OB or into penalty areas.
Good ball strikers hit more greens.

I’m not saying improving putting, chipping, and pitching won’t help, but that short game shot will be for birdie or par more often, IF you really develop a better basic golf swing/sling.

Bottom line: your short game will be turning pars into birdies, and bogeys into pars WHEN you get your best swing dialed in. It’s hard to get up and down for par IF you blow one OB.