CK, why not have a go at doing it each way? Try the zoom method, then try the S&L method. Do both ways while also trying to do your checks and look for a field.
I know which method I - and my students - find easier.
WRT to your comment about additional height & clearing obstacles etc, I think you've misunderstood something: using speed to maintain altitude until at Vg, or changing speed into height first then maintaining Vg is largely irrelevent to glide range. It's all about potential & kinetic energy. Zooming & diving changes one to the other. If anything, the additional 'g' required to initiate the climb has an adverse effect in terms of wasting some of that precious energy because it adds drag. Mind you, at the typical 'g' levels used to initiate the climb I think the difference is negligible, making the decision to zoom or not being based on practicality ie does it do anything for visibility?