you know that emergency over the local airstrip scenario.
it is bollocks.
Bit harsh W8. Yes it's bollocks from 3000' for the reasons you mention.
But it's an excellent training tool from low key to the ground, as long as the instructor points out that a runway-shaped field is usually not the best choice for a FLWOP.*
Horses for courses, and being adaptable to meet the student's training needs, etc etc.
* If the runway is long, it becomes a good FLWOP site again. Make one's aim point halfway along a long runway, and the risks of wind change, overshoot, undershoot etc are well managed.