The issue for clubs about rake placement probably relates to the culture of the club and the extent to which the majority of play involves rounds in competitions under the rules of golf.
I have played at a course where staff in the morning leave ranks on the side opposite the green on downslopes perpendicular to the line of play. At that particular course, no one seemed to mind as most play was social in nature. When rakes are moved and balls move toward the center of the bunker, replacing the ball will not result in the ball remaining in the same spot and it will roll toward the center of the bunker, closer to the hole.
I think this type of arrangement contributes to situations arising where people attempting to play by the rules may not play according to the appopriate rule, hole out, and complete the round. Many people would not know how to proceed.
At clubs where the culture is more traditional as far as rules and more competitive rounds are played, the issue is resolved with a standard policy,usually either in facing a specified direction or out in a specific location. At New South Wales Golf Club. there were spray painted rake outlines in the designated locations next to bunkers. At the club I play at, the rule is in the middle of the bunker in a low and flat spot, facing the direction of play.
I posted two different options, one seen in Sweden and one from Saunton in the UK. One option of in bunker rakes is a curved handle so not much of the rake touches the the and. For Saunton, the out of bunker location is specified by the location of the device on which the rake is positioned.
There is periodic bad luck of all sorts in my rounds of golf, plus occasional good luck. We play it where it lies and accept it. I don't mind having to go out sideways or have to take a drop if I have a severe plugged lie with limited visibility of the ball in the bunker. On the other hand, when rakes are the source of the problem in bunkers near edges, I tend to like consistent policies more.
Charles Lund