Archie,
Why don't you experiment with that at your course. Announce to your customers a new local rule (optional drop out of the bunker under a one stroke penalty), that all rakes have been removed from the course, and that except for a once or twice a month pass with a Sand Pro, each golfer is to be responsible for their own bunker maintenance (with their club or foot). Place an extra-large suggestion box by the door, and, in six months or so, if you're still operating, please report the results to the DG.
Again, I don't know where the majority of the respondents here play, but I just don't see the perfection (and effort on the part of the maintenance staff OR the customers) at the places I play. Perhaps my sample of 50 courses year-to-date, most of them private or high-end resort, is not representative.
Me, I would be getting the best sand I can afford, an ample number of quality rakes, and would try to develop a stronger bond with my employees and customers with the objective that they feel less entitled (good luck with that!) and more responsible. I know, easier said than done, but seemingly a far superior option than the removal of rakes and modified UL rule. Being that I love bunkers, my last resort if budget is a problem, would be identifying the importance of each bunker and eliminating them in reverse order until the magic number is reached.
Sean,
Because that is the tradition which has survived the test of time. There are pros and cons for changing a great number of rules. I wouldn't mind seeing the rules for treating OB and other hazards unified under the lateral hazard rule, but if I had a seat on the rules committee of the USGA, I wouldn't even bring it up to a vote. If a wholesale revision would take place, the very thing that makes golf special to many of us- tradition- would be lost. Youthful exuberance typically gives way to the lessons of time. It is called maturity. Of course, that doesn't prevent you or anyone else from playing however you please- many do anyways- but please, rake the bunker after you've retrieved your ball.