Spoiler. 
I did a lot of different gambles and very few of them worked in my favor. A few different times, I grinded rupees to get no progression. My go mode item was the Cane of Somaria, and I didn't check the dig spot until I checked literally everything else possible. I tried to explore Dark World early as soon as I had access but took a couple deaths.
At least I found the hidden sword in Kakariko's supply shack really quickly

I did a lot of different gambles and very few of them worked in my favor. A few different times, I grinded rupees to get no progression. My go mode item was the Cane of Somaria, and I didn't check the dig spot until I checked literally everything else possible. I tried to explore Dark World early as soon as I had access but took a couple deaths.
At least I found the hidden sword in Kakariko's supply shack really quickly