They could instill the use the whip had in SS, the ability to swipe items off foes, it'd also allow easier climbing and i daresay a few puzzles could come about specifically for it. One good use would be reeling in foes for link to hit or even to catch some fish cuz aside from shock arrows...
They could've even just made a grappling hook for BOTW and it would've worked with the game quite nicely, would also have allowed access to some more of those irritating to climb areas (looking at you Lurelin Korok)
Honestly i'm shocked that we didn't get a hookshot esque item in BOTW, it would've worked really well in that game allowing you to climb trees wtih ease and rob them eggs, hell i could think of a few puzzles that'd require hookshots and would've worked well with the Shrine themes ^^.
Botw was...