Here's a step-by-step tut on how to do it with an icosahedron:
How to Create a Golfball in Maya
Interestingly enough, the dimples on a golfball aren't uniformly one size so if you really want a masochistic way of building one (and have loads of time), you could probably create several dimple patches of varying sizes, merge their edges and create flat strip, then use a bend modifier to make the strip spherical. Then, keep duplicating and attaching individual patches to that - kinda like sewing a sweater - into a ball shape.
Regarding Maya and geospheres, you can grab an old script from highend (creativecrash) that makes them:
Geosphere Script
"Terminat Bora Diem, Terminal Auctor opus."