Final answer:
Local caddies, professional golfers, and entrepreneurs played significant roles in the spread of golf in eastern Scotland by providing specialized services and supporting the infrastructure essential for the game's proliferation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Local agents for the spread of golf into eastern Scotland were often the individuals affiliated with the game itself, such as caddies, professional golfers, and even local entrepreneurs who saw the potential in catering to golfers' needs. These locals played a crucial role in the proliferation of golf by providing services, spreading knowledge, and supporting the infrastructure of the sport. For instance, entrepreneurs who specialized in laundering fine woollen golf-stockings without shrinking them could be considered as facilitators of the game's spread, by maintaining the specialized attire required for playing. Local weavers who designed unique tartan patterns for clothing also contributed to the distinctive culture surrounding the game, while larger economic shifts, such as the development of Scotland's tourism industry, brought increased attention to golf as part of Scottish heritage.