Interesting debate. It all starts with what the starting point is how the bunker is built, ease to get in and out, depth of sand etc. If sand base is firm not deep sand as on links courses in Scotland smoothing is easy, you rarely get a foot print. If sand is deep dragged up the faces it becomes and issue to smooth prints even if you have a rake. Size can be key I have experienced bunkers where elephants go to die raking those is a pain!
Remember nobody runs out and throws a bunker in your balls path it is there before you hit the ball!
I suggest a rake in each bag light weight one replaces a club or two or the ball scopper!

My group is not missing the rakes at all. I agree with those who have said, after a sand shot smooth the sand with your feet and move on. Local rules can be adjusted to allow the ball to be moved if it lands in a footprint. Anything to help speed play is a plus.

Bunkers are hazards and I would be fine with play it as it lays. The tour pros would throw is hissy fit about this as they are used to perfect fairways, greens and bunkers.

Good riddance! Kick the sand with your feet to make it as good as if it had been raked!
Let’s move on!!

Let's put the rakes back please! The CDC has revised (again) their guidelines that indicate the Covid virus isn't as easily transmittable from surfaces as originally thought. Raking traps should be as basic as replacing divots and repairing ball marks. Let's not completely bastardize the game because of Covid . . . .

I think it's ridiculous not to allow rakes on the course. The admittedly ever-changing "science" indicates the virus (1) is not contracted by touching surfaces and (2) that the virus does not survive outdoors. As infrequently as any individual rake on a golf course is touched, I see NO safety concern from leaving rakes on the course. Let's go back to the rules of golf, and let golfers repair bunkers on the rare occasion they hit into them. The slow play I'm seeing is not from people raking bunkers but, rather, from golfers learning the game who take a ton of strokes or golfers who insist on playing tees that aren't appropriate for their skills.

In the discussion above the operative word I believe is obviously when referring to a Championship. Pro's are the best players in the world and if unranked bunkers causes their scores to rise so be it. If rakes disappear for normal players who struggle in bunkers then for sure they should disappear for everybody on every course.

I think there should be one rake cart. Stays with the cart always. After the round the rake is checked by the starter before player(s) leave the course and are charged for any damage to the rake.

Having rakes is not all that important...if, the grounds crew make a rotation of raking them as they mow greens each morning and another rotation after lunch.

bring your own light weight rake